Google News
Daniil Medvedev is one of four players in the top ten - along with Novak Djokovic, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andrey Rublev - who have decided to start at the ATP 250 tournament in Adelaide 1. The former world number one was framed in the upper part of the draw: the same as Djokovic.
Both could meet in the semifinals and pose another incredible challenge. Medvedev will debut against Lorenzo Sonego and, if he wins, he will find Miomir Kecmanovic on the other side of the net. In the same part of the draw as the Russian is his compatriot Karen Khachanov.
Djokovic, for his part, will have to beat Constant Lestienne, Quentin Halys and Denis Shapovalov to reach the semifinals. "Sometimes I analyze the draw and go directly to the quarterfinals or semifinals, I focus on the players on my side.
Other times they ask me who I'm going to play in the second round and I'm like, 'Okay, I'll play him, great!' It's like I don't care. I may face Djokovic in the semifinals or in the quarterfinals, after a time that I remember.
I really do not care. It is not important to know my draw beforehand, but now it will be important to be focused on the next challenge. If I start to think about the possible challenge with Djokovic, I start to ask myself questions.
So it's better to think about Sonego first," the Russian explained at the press conference. "Am I motivated by the possibility of challenging Djokovic before the Australian Open? I do not know. I like playing against him, we've had a lot of amazing matches.
At the same time, what motivates me the most is reaching the semifinals; if Novak gets it, that would be great. If someone is able to beat him first, it will still be a great semi-final because he would beat the best player in the world.
Djokovic is very optimistic
Novak Djokovic declared that he had no expectations in Melbourne, noting that he was sticking to his progress at his current tournament for the moment. "I don't have any expectations. I just try to stay in the moment.
Now my focus is on here, on Adelaide, try to do well in this tournament. Obviously Melbourne, Grand Slam, it's different," he said. "Obviously so many players, both on the women and men's side. I'll be there also a week before my first match, as I normally do, training, getting used to the slight difference in the conditions and the speed of the court, and let's see," Djokovic said.
"I mean, I hope that I'll be received well. That's what I'm hoping for, but I don't have any expectations."