"It's always pleasure to beat him": Daniil Medvedev elated after snapping losing run against Djokovic in Dubai but ranks previous win over Serb higher
Daniil Medvedev snapped a four-match losing streak against Novak Djokovic on Friday, beating the Serb 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships.
Speaking to the press after his win, the Russian admitted that it felt "amazing" to beat the 22-time Grand Slam champion, as it meant he was capable of defeating one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Medvedev's previous win over Djokovic came in the final of the 2021 US Open, where the former prevailed in straight sets to win his maiden Grand Slam. Interestingly, the World No. 7 picked that victory as his "best" memory of his rivalry with the Serb.
He reasoned that the final of a Slam simply had too much importance in his mind.
"I mean, every time I beat Novak is [an] amazing feeling. He's probably the greatest tennis player of all time, or at least one of the two or one of the three, I don't know, one of five, whatever. Amazing player," Daniil Medvedev said.
"Every time I manage to beat him, is amazing. Of course, beating him in US Open final was my best memory because that's my only slam. To beat someone like him in the final is just a dream come true and forever in my memories."
At the same time, Daniil Medvedev made it clear that he was elated with his Dubai win as well, regardless of the fact that he still had one more match to go. The former US Open champion went on to reiterate that the "pleasure" he took in being able to beat Novak Djokovic had nothing to do with greed.
Instead, he viewed it simply as a testament to his own level of tennis that made him more self-confident
"In terms of this comparison, maybe this one is a little bit less because it's not the final, it's semis. I have an important match to play tomorrow," Medvedev said.
"But it's always pleasure to beat him. When I say this, it's not in a greedy way, it's just that every time it gives you extra boost of confidence, like, 'Wow, I was able to beat Novak, I can for sure beat anybody.'"
"I feel like in US Open I was playing much better" - Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev further declared that he was not completely in the zone on Friday, opining that he played much better against Novak Djokovic in the 2021 US Open final.
"I actually don't think I was in the complete zone. For example, I feel like in US Open I was playing much better," Medvedev said.
"I was a few moments kind of not tight, I'm never really tight, but let's call it under pressure because Novak, I felt like even if he doesn't feel his best, he was missing some shots, I felt that he wants to come back."
The loss marked the 22-time Grand Slam champion's first defeat of the season. Medvedev was in awe of how Djokovic managed to put him under pressure constantly despite the end result going against him eventually.
"It's his first loss of the season. I know how it's important for him to break all these records. For sure he wanted to go for more. I felt like he will fight till the end. That puts a lot of pressure on you because you know he's capable of doing crazy things," he said.
"There were few small moments, especially on his serve, when I had the break where I was like I had to do better, and that's what I managed to do in US Open. But still I was playing pretty good. So, yeah, hopefully I will be even more in the zone tomorrow."
In the final, Daniil Medvedev will take on compatriot and defending champion Andrey Rublev, who defeated Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.