“I have to be the best-ever version of myself”

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 8, 2023

Daniil Medvedev is aware of what it takes to win the US Open – he did that in 2021, successful his first main title. And, he is aware of what it takes to defeat Novak Djokovic, the person with 23 majors and 389 weeks at No.1 – Medvedev had 5 victories over Djokovic, together with his 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Djokovic in stated 2021 US Open remaining.

But the Russian is aware of that the problem of dealing with Djokovic solely will get harder. “He is always better than previous time he plays,” Medvedev stated on Friday, after taking out World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz to achieve his fifth main remaining. “For example, I beat him US Open final; he beat me in Bercy in a great match. Carlos beat him at Wimbledon; he beat him in Cincinnati.

“Novak is going to be his best version on Sunday, and I have to be the best-ever version of myself if I want to try to beat him.”

Whether he wins on Sunday or not, Medvedev can take confidence from his win over Alcaraz. He was the heavy underdog towards the Spaniard after dropping all 5 units he performed towards him this season. But he performed glowing tennis from begin to end, learn and reacted to the World No.1’s sport like a seer, and attacked with authority as he notched his 7-6(3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 triumph.

“I guess for the confidence and self-esteem, it’s very important,” he stated. “At the same time that is the thing about tennis, it’s great that I won this match, but if I lose on Sunday, the tournament, it’s like it’s a good tournament but I’m going to be hell disappointed. That’s how tennis is.

“So yeah, it was a great win, it’s great for the confidence. You know, I have hopefully long years of career ahead. And to know I’m capable of doing it on the big stage, every time you do it one more time, brings more confidence. You know you can do it again. You want to do it again. You want to feel this. And at the same time, what is the most important is to kind of use it but forget about it and go for the next one.”

Medvedev has break up his two conferences with Djokovic in 2023, however Djokovic has gained 4 out of 5 since he misplaced to the Russian within the US Open remaining in 2021.

The 36-year-old legend is bidding to earn his report twenty fourth main and his fourth US Open title.

27-year-old Medvedev bids for his second main title.