Google News 'Novak Djokovic was the player most likely to complete...', says WTA star
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 4394
Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev has dreamed of becoming world number one for 20 years, but admits that Novak Djokovic deserves to be the top ranked player in the world right now. Medvedev, who peaked in his career at No.
2 in the world last March, is getting closer and closer to surpassing Djokovic for the spot on the ATP ranking list. Djokovic currently has 11,633 points, while Medvedev has accumulated 10,575 points. Djokovic made it all the way at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, but failed to win the US Open after losing in straight sets to Medvedev in the Flushing Meadows final.
"Since I was six years old, I have dreamed of becoming number one in the world, but Djokovic deserves to be, he is the real number one this season. He won three Grand Slam titles. He is the reality. This is one of my goals. I just need to win so many Grand Slam matches and tournaments," Medvedev said, according to We Love Tennis.
Medvedev, seeded No. 1, beat the runner-up of the 2017 Paris Masters, Filip Krajinovic, 6-2, 7-6 (1) to reach the knockout stages of the Indian Wells Masters. "I feel like I'm trying to play a little less... just playing the biggest tournaments, or the ones that will get me in shape, so I'm very happy that I had 50 [wins].
It means I was doing quite well on a lot of them," Medvedev said.
Iga Swiatek reflects on Novak Djokovic
Iga Swiatek recently revealed she was fervently hoping for Novak Djokovic to win the 2021 US Open title. Swiatek even admitted that she was reduced to tears when Djokovic fell short at the last hurdle (losing to Daniil Medvedev).
"I was cheering for Novak to win the Calendar Grand Slam this year because I feel like he deserves it," Swiatek said. "And if there is anybody that can win a calendar grand slam, it’s going to be him. So I was crying basically when he lost the final of the US Open," she added.
It is pertinent to note here that Swiatek marked World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October, by donating her Indian Wells prize money to a mental health organization. "Developing mentally on court was always my goal, because I feel there is something more I can work on besides physicality and technique on court," the 20-year-old said.
"So when I was younger, I knew that there was some space for me to develop and to play better, and also to develop not only as an athlete but (as) a person."