As we reflect on the captivating rivalries that have defined tennis, it’s hard not to be drawn in by the legends of the sport. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal faced off 40 times, with Nadal leading 24-16, a testament to their enduring legacy. But who challenged Nadal’s dominance? It was Novak Djokovic, the third pillar of the “Big Three,” whom he competed against 60 times, with Djokovic holding a slight edge. However, despite his ongoing career, Nole isn’t the clear inspiration for Daniil Medvedev. Instead, the Russian finds inspiration elsewhere—someone who challenged these legends head-on.

Medvedev is on a mission to regain his form in the Middle East swing. After retiring due to food poisoning against Felix Auger-Aliassime in Qatar, he’s now competing in Dubai. He recently defeated Jan-Lennard Struff and faces Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard next. In a revealing interview with the Khaleej Times, Medvedev shared that Stan Wawrinka is his biggest inspiration, saying, “You know, Wawrinka inspires me a lot.” He admires Wawrinka’s perseverance, contrasting it with the dominance of Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, and Murray, which he feels he can’t match.

But Medvedev also praises the Big Three, saying, “I think Djokovic inspires me, even though I know I’m not going to win 24 Grand Slams. Federer inspires me, even though his game is completely opposite to mine. Nadal is left-handed, but they all inspired me.” Despite their incredible achievements—72 majors among them—Medvedev has carved his own path, notably defeating Djokovic at the 2021 US Open. Meanwhile, he holds a perfect record against Andy Murray, but shows no disrespect to Murray’s legacy, noting, “I would even say that Murray, at least at the moment, is not comparable to me, because he’s won so many tournaments, Masters and all these titles.” Wawrinka, however, offers a different kind of inspiration.

Wawrinka’s journey is particularly inspiring because he won his first major at 29, the same age Medvedev is now. And there’s also his mindset, as Daniil notes, “Because he’s been beaten by these guys from time to time, and he said, ‘OK, but I’m going to do it.’ And that’s what I want to do too.” Despite his impressive record—20 titles and a Grand Slam at the 2021 US Open—Medvedev’s recent form has been a challenge. He admits, “Like I said, lately my level has been a little lower than expected, but I know what I’m capable of.”

After facing a tough season last year and going winless despite his ranking within the top 10, Medvedev is hoping to break this streak in Dubai. Will Stan’s inspiration push him to go the extra mile? Their head-to-head record is 3-2 in Medvedev’s favor after his win at the 2025 Rotterdam Open. Their last match at the 2025 Rotterdam Open was thrilling and even though Medvedev came out victorious, he praised Wawrinka’s enduring quality.

“It’s Stan”—Daniil Medvedev can’t help but admire Wawrinka’s power

Stan Wawrinka was once the player to fear on the court, known for his relentless power and impressive achievements. With a career-high ranking of No. 3 in 2014 and 16 titles under his belt, including three Grand Slams at the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 US Open, he was a force to be reckoned with. Daniil Medvedev has faced Wawrinka on several occasions, experiencing both wins and losses. Their head-to-head record shows that Medvedev has come out on top more recently, including a thrilling win at the 2025 Rotterdam Open.

After their match, Medvedev praised Wawrinka, saying, “He played good, but it’s Stan, he always plays good. Of course, he is not at his peak when he was winning Grand Slams. I never played him when he was at this level, and it’s a pity because I would love it as a challenge.” Despite Wawrinka not being at his peak, Medvedev found the match challenging, coming from a set down to win 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-1. Medvedev also highlighted Wawrinka’s attitude, calling him “one of the humblest, nicest guys on Tour.”

Wawrinka’s enduring presence in tennis, spanning over two decades, offers Medvedev a wealth of experience to draw from. As Medvedev continues his journey, inspired by Wawrinka’s perseverance and achievements, the question remains: will Medvedev rise to new heights and add more major wins to his resume? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Medvedev’s admiration for Wawrinka is genuine, and he’s eager to learn from his idol’s remarkable career.