“Huge Respect for Him”: Andrey Rublev Hails Daniil Medvedev for Overtaking Rafael Nadal as World No.2

Russian professionals Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev have achieved quite a lot in the past couple of years, and they also carry enormous admiration for each other on and off the court.

Interestingly, the two of them are also Muscovites, a name for people born in Moscow. Furthermore, the pair have cemented their place in the Top 8 players in ATP Rankings.

Recently, the 25-year-old made a substantial breakthrough in the rankings. Daniil Medvedev became World No. 2, breaking a 16-year long stronghold of the big four over the Top 2 positions.

For this reason, his fellow countryman, the 23-year-old Andrey Rublev, praised him with kind words.

Read More: “At Least Once”: Andrey Rublev Wants Rafael Nadal Beaten at French Open 2021

Andrey Rublev has tall praise for Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev overtook Rafael Nadal as World No. 2 after winning the ATP Marseille 2021. He defeated home-country player Pierre-Hugues Herbert in a tight three sets 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4.

Post this, the Australian Open 2021 runner-up received many greetings from family, friends, and fellow competitors. However, the current World No. 8 Rublev was not on the list of well-wishers.

Rublev confessed that although he did not congratulate him, he told Medvedev what he felt about him in Australia. He said, “Actually, I forgot to even text him congrats after Marseille. But he knows because I was telling him even during Australia that it is amazing what he is doing.”

Rublev also expressed that he has grown a deep respect for Medvedev. “To be honest, I really really have huge respect for him as a sportsman,” the Russian added.

The duo last faced each other in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Australian Open, where Medvedev won in straight sets. Since then, both have collected one ATP title each, with Rublev getting one at ATP Rotterdam Open and Medvedev getting his at the ATP Marseille Open.

Read More: ATP Race to Turin 2021: Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem Far Away From Top 8

Where will Medvedev and Rublev meet again?

Both Daniil and Andrey are present in the entry list of Miami Masters starting March 22. Presently, the younger Russian is competing for the ATP Dubai Open 2021 title.

For Medvedev, the next two months are vital as he can even steal the No. 1 spot from Novak Djokovic. But for that, he will need to continue with his superior performances on the ATP tour.

Do you think Daniil can become the World No. 1 player in 2021?

Also Read: After Surpassing Rafael Nadal, How Can Daniil Medvedev Dethrone Novak Djokovic From the World No.1 Spot?