“Took Me by Surprise” – Naomi Osaka Mentions Daniil Medvedev While Revealing Fan Interaction

There’s no doubt that men’s tennis is witnessing a new generation of players coming up. With Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic well past their thirties, younger players are making a name for themselves despite some of them yet to win a Grand Slam.

One player who leads this new generation of players is Daniil Medvedev. Currently the World No. 2, the 25-year-old has already faced some of the best, including all of the ‘Big 3’.

Ahead of the opening rounds at the US Open, women’s World No. 3 Naomi Osaka narrated an interaction with a fan appreciating Medvedev.

Naomi Osaka recalls fan admitting Daniil Medvedev as their favorite player

The best players in the world are in New York and not long remains for them to take to Flushing Meadows. Prior to their first round matches, they are carrying out media duties by taking part in press conferences.

During Osaka‘s press conference, the Japanese star mentioned a recent interaction she had with a fan. In that interaction, Osaka revealed, the fan revealed Medvedev as their favorite player. She mentioned how this augurs well for the future of tennis, as tennis fans take to new styles of playing the game.

She said, “Let’s say it’s nice to see a lot of new players coming up. I was at the event in Queens yesterday, and there’s a kid that said Medvedev was his favorite player. And that kind of took me by surprise.”

“Because I’m used to people saying Federer is their favorite player and stuff like that. So, it’s just nice to see this newer generation coming up and people saying that they’re their favorites are getting used to their playing style as well.”

READ MORE: Does Naomi Osaka Speak Japanese?

Can Osaka defend her US Open title?

Earlier this week, the 23-year-old slipped to third in the WTA Rankings. In addition, she looks out of form, given her performances since returning to competition at the Tokyo Olympics.

However, she arrives in Flushing Meadows as the defending champion. And despite her recent run, she remains one of the best players on hard courts on the WTA tour today.

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