US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has hidden his cramps: "If Novak notices it, it's not good"
As clear as the result of the US Open Finals between Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic seemed, it was probably so close in the end - because Daniil Medvedev was annoying.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Sep 14, 2021, 09:46 am
Medvedev had led 6: 4, 6: 4 and 5: 1 in the US Open final against Djokovic - and in the end it got tight again. The reason: Medvedev was nervous.
Although he had less pressure "than many other times in my career," said the man from Russia in the press conference after the match. "But it was still a lot." At 5: 3 he got cramps, "probably because of the pressure at 5: 2, where I had match point and didn't use it. My legs said goodbye after the 5: 3." At 5: 4 he could hardly walk because of his left leg. "If you look closely at the repetition, when I go to the towel, my leg was running after it." He tried not to show it. "If Novak senses that, it's not good."
US Open: Daniil Medvevev and the dead fish cheering
Medvedev: "Maybe I would have gone nuts"
At 40:15 he had two match balls again. "I thought: Come on, go on ace. There was a heavy double fault, the second serve landed in the middle of the net." But he still had one. "I just wanted to bring in a first serve, I did that and I'm totally happy." What would have happened with a possible 5: 5? "We don't know, maybe I would have gone nuts or something. It didn't happen, so we don't have to talk about it."
In the end, it doesn't matter that he won against Djokovic in the final. "If I had won against Botic (van de Zandschulp) I would be just as happy." The fact that he won against someone who had a 27-0 record at Grand Slams certainly brings self-confidence. Djokovic was certainly not in top form, added Medvedev. "The question is, if it had been him, would I have been able to keep up? We don't know."
Oh yes: The party after the victory seems to have been good, but not too sensational. "Russians know how to party," announced Medvedev. "Hopefully I won't make the news."
He didn't come: The next morning, Medvedev was actually sitting in the switch for the show Live with Kelly and Ryan, looking quite sober. After three hours of sleep after all.
nycmap