Daniil Medvedev wife: Why ‘confident’ Daria is tennis world No 2’s secret weapon
Daniil Medvedev wins point against Martinez at Australian Open
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Rafael Nadal is potentially just three sets away from a record 21st Grand Slam title after beating Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the Australian Open semi-finals. The Spaniard stands level on 20 major titles alongside Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Standing in his way, however, is Daniil Medvedev.
The Russian beat Stefanos Tsitsipas to book his spot in today’s final.
Medvedev is aiming for his second successive Grand Slam after winning his maiden major at the US Open in September.
He lost out in last year’s Australian Open final to Djokovic, who was deported from Australia ahead of the tournament amid a row over his vaccination status.
Medvedev believes his rise up the tennis rankings came after his marriage to Daria Chernyshkova, a former top 100 junior tennis player herself.
The pair tied the knot in September 2018, and Medvedev surged into the world top 10 within 10 months of their marriage.
He gushed over her in a 2019 interview with L’Equipe. He told the newspaper: “Daria is my main support.
“I cannot say anything without her. She showed me the beauty of life, which I had never seen before.”
He explained that Daria is much more confident than him and showed him “how to handle life”.
He said: “That’s what happens when you are self-confident. Someone will say you become arrogant, but it’s not like this.”
Daria works as his assistant and helps to prolong travel visas — something that is not an easy feat with a Russian passport.
Medvedev continued: “She helps me a lot. She knows I support her in many ways.
“So we enjoy being with each other, we enjoy living with each other, we love each other, and that helps me on the tennis court.
DON’T MISS:
Rafael Nadal blasted Catalonian independence plans in furious rant [INSIGHT]
Novak Djokovic on relationship with Andy Murray: ‘Can’t be friends’ [QUOTES]
Nadal lashed out at Federer: ‘We’re not like him’ [REVEALED]
“It’s as easy as that. She will not teach me to play forehand or backhand but she’s going to give me some mental strength and mental stability to be a better tennis player.”
Anything to do with improving the current world No 2’s tennis skills is left to Gilles Cervara.
He has worked full-time with Medvedev since summer 2017, helping him win 13 ATP Tour singles titles along the way.
Medvedev stands at 1.98m tall (6ft 6in) and boasts an impressive backhand. He has previously been criticised for his lack of mid-court and net game, making him susceptible to struggling against more dynamic and varied players.
He has, however, worked significantly on this and proved in the 2019 US Open final that he can mix up his game when necessary.
He told L’Equipe: “I try to adapt to my opponent’s aggressive game. However, this year I started realising that if this approach is impossible, then I start playing more aggressive.
“If I hesitate, I do not perform like the others do. I try to make my opponent have doubts. I hope that my opponent’s life gets more difficult shot after shot.”
Adapting his playing style earned Medvedev praise from some of his tennis rivals — including Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.
Speaking ahead of today’s final, Medvedev is certain Djokovic will be watching intently.
Medvedev prevented Djokovic from winning the elusive 21st Grand Slam in the US Open, and is planning to do the same again with Nadal.
He said: “What’s funny is again I’m going to play someone going for the 21st Slam. I guess last time Rafa was watching… I think Novak will be watching this one in two days also.”
When asked if he will have the record on his mind during the final, he said: “I’m definitely not going to think about this before or during the match.
“After the match, depending on the result, I’m going to think of [Djokovic] a little bit — and Roger probably also!”
Coverage of the Australian Open final is available on Eurosport.
Source: Read Full Article