Russia’s Daniil Medvedev is the player to end the dominance of the Big Three in grand slam tennis, according to former world No.1 doubles player Todd Woodbridge.
The 23-year-old has been picked by the Australian as his favourite to win the upcoming Australian Open. Medvedev has rapidly risen up the ranks following a successful second half of 2019 where he reached six consecutive finals on the ATP Tour. Including the US Open where he took Rafael Nadal to five sets in the title match. Despite experiencing a wobble towards the end of the season, he has finished the year in the world’s top five for the first time in his career.
“I’m going with Medvedev,” Woodbridge told Nine’s World Wide of Sport.
“That run he had through the US Open was just phenomenal. I think he believes, I reckon he thinks he can get into a final and take those guys out.
“He’s also the most dynamic of that group. He’s going to run all day long, he’s going to keep that ball going.”
2020 has been billed by many as the potential year where there could be a change in the guard at the top of men’s tennis. Other challengers to the Big Three include ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, two-time French Open finalist Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev. However, breaking the dominance of the trio will be easier said than done.
Consisting of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, the Big Three have won 51 out of the last 59 grand slam tournaments. At least one of them have featured in the final in 57 out of the last 59 majors. Furthermore, Since 2004 Andy Murray is the only player outside of the trio to have clinched the year-end No.1 spot back in 2016. Something Medvedev hopes to one day achieve.
“I have been thinking about it (the No.1 spot) since I was six-years-old, but the thing is that I’m not obsessed with it,” He explained during a recent interview with Ubitennis. “For example, if I was 40 and during my career, I achieved a best ranking of number two in the world, It would not change my life completely.’
“Of course working hard and playing so many tournaments you want to achieve the best ranking possible.” He added.
Looking ahead to the Australian Open, Medvedev is hoping to build upon the confidence he gained in 2019. Where he won more matches on the ATP Tour than any other player. Only two Russian men have ever won the Melbourne major. Yevgeny Kafelnikov triumphed in 1999 and Marat Safin in 2005.
“Being in the grand slam final makes you confident for the next grand slam, because you know it’s possible to achieve it,” Medvedev told the Australian Associated Press.
“Before the US Open, the fourth round was my best result, so maybe I wasn’t sure about myself at grand slams and five-set matches.
“Now I know that it’s possible, but the other question is, is it going to happen again? I’m going to try to do my best.”
The Australian Open will get underway on January 20th.
