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Daniil Medvedev tried last night to shatter the perception shared by many Novak Djokovic is a villain, recalling once the superstar spoke to him “like a friend” and even took him to Serbia in a private jet.
Medvedev delivered a beautiful post-match speech after losing 7-5 6-2 6-2 to Djokovic in the men’s Australian Open final at Rod Laver Arena.
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Many experts slander Djokovic, believing he is faking an injury to cover up a bad game, making an exception to his emotional outbursts and growling at his extraordinary boast.
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Specifically, the 18-time Grand Slam champion sparked outrage by organizing a tennis tournament in Croatia plagued by coronavirus, hitting a tennis ball in the throat of a linesman and Unveiling controversial quarantine wishlist.
Djokovic wins the war of attrition
But Medvedev’s post-match speech featured Djokovic as a hero.
“I first trained with Novak when I was around 500, 600 years old in Monaco,” Medvedev said during the post-match coverage of Nine.
“He was already No 1. I just won Wimbledon. I was like, ‘Okay, he’s not going to talk to me’ or something, because the guy was a god to me.
“I came there. Because I was shy, I didn’t speak. He asked the questions, spoke to me like a friend. I was really surprised. It has never changed since I was 600 years old. in the world or four in the world – you are a great sport, a great person. So congratulations. “
Djokovic addresses his AO controversies
Medvedev then recalled another story of his pleasant experiences with Djokovic during his post-match press conference.
“After we had other stories where he took me on a private jet to Serbia for the Davis Cup,” Medvedev said.
“Still, I was just two weeks in the top 100 or something.
“Yeah, he’s always been really nice to me.
“He’s helped me a lot, I would say, with my career confidence.”
Djokovic, already the most successful champion in Australian Open history, won his ninth Melbourne Grand Slam title last night.
Perhaps more importantly, getting his 18th major brought him closer to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who lead the way with 20.
When Djokovic stood behind the microphone last night to address those at Rod Laver Arena, he followed Medvedev’s speech with his own touching words.
“I would like to say nice words to Daniil. First of all: a class number. You are a great guy, a great person,” said Djokovic.
“We spent more time together. We trained more in Monaco. You haven’t called in recent years. But it’s nice to see that you think well of me.
“I really like Daniil as a person. Off the pitch he’s great, always very friendly and very outgoing. On the pitch he’s definitely one of the toughest players I’ve ever faced in my life. life.
“It’s a matter of time when you’re going to host a Grand Slam – that’s for sure. If you don’t mind waiting a few more years.
“I would like everyone to appreciate again what he has done in a 20 game winning streak in the past two months. Unbelievable.”
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