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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

2021 was an absolutely phenomenal year for Daniil Medvedev. He began the year on a high note as he led team Russia to victory in the ATP Cup. Then, not only did he reach his second Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, but he also became the World No. 2 for the first time this year.

His crowning glory this year came when he defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic at the US Open final. Consequently, the Russian 24-year-old denied Djokovic the Calendar Slam he had been chasing all year long.

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Todd Woodbridge claims Daniil Medvedev believes the trophy is his

Medvedev’s success continued as he led Team Russia once again to victory in the Davis Cup as well. Now, doubles legend Todd Woodbridge has picked him as his champion to win it all at the Australian Open 2022.

via Reuters

Todd Woodbridge is known for having won a total of 22 Grand Slam doubles titles- 16 men’s doubles and six mixed. Woodbridge talked about how he believes the upcoming 2022 Australian Open will be Daniil’s.

Woodbridge talked about Daniil Medvedev‘s emphatic straight set victory over Novak Djokovic at the US Open. “Winning the US Open wasn’t a surprise to him,” he said. “I don’t think winning an Australian Open would be a surprise at all,” Woodbridge continued.

Thus, Woodbridge thinks that Medvedev himself believes he should win the 2022 Australian Open. “I think he thinks it (Australian Open) should be his,” the former Grand Slam champion states.

Furthermore, Woodbridge also shared his experience of having met the Russian youngster at the Australian Open a few years ago.

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Medvedev spoke with a sincere confidence that impressed Woodbridge

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Woodbridge recalled how Medvedev talked about not having made any unforced errors that day. He remarked on how rare that is to see from a star player. Thus, he praises Medvedev’s confidence and sincerity, both as a player, and someone who has been around a lot of other players in their life.“I’ve seen people look the part and try to throw out this air of confidence and invincibility, but for me that’s always a bit of a front. But with him, I didn’t read it in the sense of him big-noting; I just see it as this inward confidence,” Woodbridge said.

via Reuters

Moreover, speaking about his loss against Novak Djokovic in the last Australian Open, Woodbridge chalked it up to the match being just his second major final. “I think he was a tad overawed in the last Australian Open final, by the whole occasion. But I think that was experience he needed to have,” Woodbridge said.

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Thus, the Australian tennis legend surely believes Medvedev has the right skills and now, the right mindset and experience, to win it all Down Under.

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