“It gives them an extra advantage,” Daniil Medvedev said about Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s “crazy power” to handle the faulty balls in the Shanghai Masters. Per him, while the duo are the “best players in the world,” he emphasized that the balls favor their playing style! Interestingly, now as Medvedev looks forward to locking horns with Sinner in the QF match, the former World No. 1 reiterated his perspective, regardless of who his opponent is! However, he also warned against underestimating the other top contender.

During his first-round clash, Medvedev criticized the Shanghai Masters organizers for using balls that are “destroyed after 5 games.” He even wrote “nice balls” on one of the tennis balls and frustratingly showed it on TV with a smile. Acknowledging his own physical limitations to tackle the situation, Medvedev added, “I try to do what I can…I’m fighting and I wanna go all the way.” Now, after battling with Stefanos Tsitsipas in the R16 match and winning by 7-6, 6-3, it seems that Medvedev is indeed willing to continue his fight! Soon after his recent clash, an on-court reporter asked him, “You’ve told us you feel like he has an advantage with the balls… you’re not writing off your chances, are you?”

To this, a confident yet cautious Medvedev, who has won 7 times against Sinner, said, “No… I’ll always fight till the end. With Jannik, we’ve had a lot of tough battles. It’s what I’m gonna bring tomorrow. Tactically, I don’t know yet. I’ll discuss with my coach. Mentally, I have to fight. He’s #1 in the world now. I’d say him and Carlos are probably the best.”

Then the 2021 US Open champion further referred to the 24-grand slam champion, Novak Djokovic and said, “Never underestimate Novak. Soon as you underestimate him, he can bite you back (laughing). They are 3 very tough players at the moment. I’m gonna try my best.”

Like Sinner, Alcaraz has already advanced to the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters. Whereas Djokovic, seeking his first title of the season, aims to defeat Roman Safiullin to reach the quarterfinals. Despite his recent US Open exit, Djokovic’s Olympic gold medal and his ability to overcome challenges, such as knee injuries and coaching changes(firing his long-term coach, Goran Ivanisevic), have solidified his dominance in tennis. And Medvedev, who has faced Djokovic 15 times, acknowledges his “greatness”.

“Nothing changes,” says Daniil Medvedev of Novak Djokovic’s kind nature despite his success!

Last year in the US Open, Daniil Medvedev praised Novak Djokovic after their final round clash! Despite losing the match by 3-6, 6-7, 3-6, Medvedev revealed, “When we first played, I was probably 500th in the world. And he was super kind to me.” Medvedev continued, “Nothing special, but he treated me like a normal person. And he still does. Nothing changed: 24, 30, 12 Grand Slams? Nothing changes. And I think that’s something great about a person you can say.”

Medvedev also stated how losing against Djokovic in the finals of a grand slam was the “pinnacle” of his career. Per Medvedev, Djokovic “pushes” him to be “better.” While it was Djokovic’s fourth US Open victory, Medvedev was fighting to win his second Grand Slam in New York(having won once in 2021). Currently, Daniil Medvedev’s target is to propel forward in the tournament with all his grit. But will he be able to deny Sinner a QF victory? We will find out soon!