Medvedev explains his preparation allowed him to dominate Djokovic in the 2021 US Open final

[intrepidish]

"My best example is when I played in the Australian Open final. I had won 21 consecutive matches and was fully confident and on a cloud... After the match, I thought, 'How is that possible?' I was feeling good, but something was missing. I was 100% ready to do better in the US Open final...I was better prepared.



From Tennis Head today...

 

[TheNachoMan]

Medvedev didn’t beat Djokovic, Djokovic beat Djokovic.

 

[intrepidish]

Medvedev didn’t beat Djokovic, Djokovic beat Djokovic.

That's strange; I seem to recall Medvedev played Novak and beat him comprehensively. Marko and Djorjde Djokovic didn't make the main draw.

 

[Deleted member 791948]

Attention to detail, step-by-step process. Never skip a step

 

[TheNachoMan]

That's strange; I seem to recall Medevedev played Novak and beat him comprehensively. Marko and Djorjde Djokovic didn't make the main draw.

We must live in parallel universes. I don’t remember a “Medvedev” playing.

 

[intrepidish]

We must live in parallel universes.

Well, it's true that some Djokovic fans inhabit a different universe where 5g causes covid and 'energy pyramids' exist, but as for the topic, Medvedev was definitely the one who beat Novak comprehensively in that US Open final and here he's explaining that his mindset and preparation had everything to do with that.

 

[NoleFam]

Where does he explain his preparation? Your title is misleading.

 

[Start da Game]

decoturf-2 which is a fast hardcourt has always posed problems to novak against quality opponents.....medvedev likes fast courts which aid his serve and help him use opponent's pace to redirect his shots.....he just shut the door on djokovic that day and never allowed him inside......

 

[aldeayeah]

Well, it's true that some Djokovic fans inhabit a different universe where 5g causes covid and 'energy pyramids' exist, but as for the topic, Medvedev was definitely the one who beat Novak comprehensively in that US Open final and here he's explaining that his mindset and preparation had everything to do with that.

Med prepared so well, he hit a bunch of atrocious dropshots that Novak reached easily and yet dumped into the net. That was peak preparation there.

 

[weakera]

Medvedev beat Djokovic like a rented mule in that match. What I love most about that match (and there are a lot of things that I love about it) is that it totally exposes the hypocrisy of the Djokovic camp.

For years and years and years, the Djokovic camp *tried* claiming that Novak is the toughest there is mentally. The strongest player ever, from a mental perspective.

Then they tried to explain away his grand slam beat down as a result of there being too much pressure. So much pressure that Djokovic suffered a complete breakdown on court and began openly weeping.

Sometimes I think about this and begin laughing to myself!

 

[TheNachoMan]

Medvedev beat Djokovic like a rented mule in that match. What I love most about that match (and there are a lot of things that I love about it) is that it totally exposes the hypocrisy of the Djokovic camp.

For years and years and years, the Djokovic camp *tried* claiming that Novak is the toughest there is mentally. The strongest player ever, from a mental perspective.

Then they tried to explain away his grand slam beat down as a result of there being too much pressure. So much pressure that Djokovic suffered a complete breakdown on court and began openly weeping.

Sometimes I think about this and begin laughing to myself!

It’s too bad we couldn’t see how Nadal would react in a CYGS match due to him pulling out of the Wimbledon semi this year. Sad!

 

[NoleFam]

decoturf-2 which is a fast hardcourt has always posed problems to novak against quality opponents.....medvedev likes fast courts which aid his serve and help him use opponent's pace to redirect his shots.....he just shut the door on djokovic that day and never allowed him inside......

The USO has been played on laykold since 2020, something Djokovic dominated on in Miami. Lol.

 

[NoleFam]

It’s too bad we couldn’t see how Nadal would react in a CYGS match due to him pulling out of the Wimbledon semi this year. Sad!

Yea easy to have a go at Djokovic when he's the only point of reference for a man going for a CYGS in most of our lifetimes.

 

[intrepidish]

Medvedev beat Djokovic like a rented mule in that match. What I love most about that match (and there are a lot of things that I love about it) is that it totally exposes the hypocrisy of the Djokovic camp.

For years and years and years, the Djokovic camp *tried* claiming that Novak is the toughest there is mentally. The strongest player ever, from a mental perspective.

Then they tried to explain away his grand slam beat down as a result of there being too much pressure. So much pressure that Djokovic suffered a complete breakdown on court and began openly weeping.

Sometimes I think about this and begin laughing to myself!

It is impressive indeed that the player whose fans claim is a mental giant, should be beaten down comprehensively, set after set, due to his mental weakness while entirely discounting the idea that Medvedev himself learned to deal with the pressure of playing Djokovic in a slam final more effectively the second time around.

Strange how that is...

 

[Slicehand]

Medvedev didn’t beat Djokovic, Djokovic beat Djokovic.

Did you watch the match? That bullsht

 

[Jokervich]

He was "prepared" to beat a mentally and physically exhausted Djokovic who faced the biggest pressure in tennis history, while having to beat the likes of Berrettini and Zverev, while he got a cupcake draw of Gasquet and Van de Zanschulp. Not to mention the umpire gave him 2 first serves at a crucial point in the 2nd set, which allowed him to hold serve and not go down a break. Umpire helped him cheat in order to win that set.

 

[Start da Game]

The USO has been played on laykold since 2020, something Djokovic dominated on in Miami. Lol.

that's even faster than decoturf.....my claim is valid.....he basically struggled on fast surfaces, and exceled on slow hardcourts......

 

[jindra]

Medvedev played well and deserved to win. He definitely won that match, it wasn't Djokovic who lost it. Let's not forget that Djokovic only has 3 USO titles.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

At least he actually beat a crap Djokovic; an elusive triumph of late.

 

[tudwell]

Med prepared so well, he hit a bunch of atrocious dropshots that Novak reached easily and yet dumped into the net. That was peak preparation there.

It was a clever ruse. Unfortunately for Med, Nadal did his homework before this year's Aussie final and figured out how to counteract the ADBM (atrocious dropshot by Medvedev) secret plan of attack.

 

[Tennfan123]

I think this is old news.

 

[NoleFam]

that's even faster than decoturf.....my claim is valid.....he basically struggled on fast surfaces, and exceled on slow hardcourts......

Djokovic won 5/6 Miami titles so he didn't struggle on laykold. He also didn't struggle on faster surfaces. He has 4 at Shanghai, the fastest surface on tour, and 4 at Dubai, another fast surface. He was just more dominant on slower hardcourt.

 

[weakera]

The idea that Djokovic faced more pressure than anyone in history is hilarious. There is so much more pressure on players who find themselves in finals or deep in slams which may be their only opportunity to capture a slam or make a serious run. That's a now or never moment. Djokovic would still have every opportunity to become consensus GOAT even with losing that match. There wasn't nearly as much pressure as EggBots pretend.

 

[jl809]

Medvedev played very very well. The Djoker from the AO in 2021 or Cincy / USO the year before would have won in 4 imo, but we were never going to get that Djoker so it’s a moot point - the only way Djoker avoids being gassed in that USO final is by winning less earlier in the year. This seems to have been ignored a lot on here… he wouldn’t have had the pressure without the initial success. And if I were a Djoker fan I’d take the channel slam over that USO win any day

 

[intrepidish]

The idea that Djokovic faced more pressure than anyone in history is hilarious. There is so much more pressure on players who find themselves in finals or deep in slams which may be their only opportunity to capture a slam or make a serious run. That's a now or never moment. Djokovic would still have every opportunity to become consensus GOAT even with losing that match. There wasn't nearly as much pressure as EggBots pretend.

We can talk about Medvedev's own pressure; the crowd was much more hostile to him than for Djokovic, he comes from a country most Americans actually have heard about regularly and tend to find problematic (unlike the fantasy Serbians often seem to have about being the world's enemy). Moreover, he had failed to show up for his previous slam final and was being underrated and had something to prove which could have been a lot to handle for anyone.

Medvedev simply learned from his previous slam final and solidified his record of 4 wins of the last 7 matches against Djokovic, including 2 straight set wins.

 

[Federer_pilon]

He was "prepared" to beat a mentally and physically exhausted Djokovic who faced the biggest pressure in tennis history

As somebody would say, pressure is a privilege.

 

[Kralingen]

Think the physical aspect was more of an issue than the mental aspect for Djokovic in this match. His explosiveness was pretty poor and he was getting gassed in long rallies. The 5 setter with Zed and all those needless 4 setters definitely caught up to him.

OTOH Med served very well and did a good job not giving Novak the same looks, changed direction well, got most everything back. It was a deserved win from a player in better form, there are no excuses needed.

 

[jindra]

As somebody would say, pressure is a privilege.

You guys are unbelievable.

 

[intrepidish]

Think the physical aspect was more of an issue than the mental aspect for Djokovic in this match. His explosiveness was pretty poor and he was getting gassed in long rallies. The 5 setter with Zed and all those needless 4 setters definitely caught up to him.

OTOH Med served very well and did a good job not giving Novak the same looks, changed direction well, got most everything back. It was a deserved win from a player in better form, there are no excuses needed.

There's no question that when Medvedev is playing well, his court coverage and willingness to force Djokovic to have to hit through him can very much smother Djokovic's game. It's not the kind of game Djokovic wants to play at 35.

I actually think this is something which has increasingly been evident in Djokovic's game as he has aged, but few players are willing and able to take this route, even some who might have more success at it than they realize.

In fact, I would say that an in form and younger version of someone like Gilles Simon could have success against the current version of Djokovic and of course Medvedev is 4 of the last 7 with 2 straight set wins himself.

 

[Jokervich]

As somebody would say, pressure is a privilege.

Do you agree with the rest of my post? Because you conveniently left out the rest of my post.

 

[Kralingen]

There's no question that when Medvedev is playing well, his court coverage and willingness to force Djokovic to have to hit through him can very much smother Djokovic's game. It's not the kind of game Djokovic wants to play at 35.

I actually think this is something which has increasingly been evident in Djokovic's game as he has aged, but few players are willing and able to take this route, even some who might have more success at it than they realize.

In fact, I would say that an in form and younger version of someone like Gilles Simon could have success against the current version of Djokovic and of course Medvedev himself is 4 of the last 7 with 2 straight set wins himself.

I definitely see what you’re saying. In September I personally watched Jenson Brooksby give him a first set breadstick and stick with him from the baseline for a full two hours on Ashe, using the exact strategy. Depth, excellent court coverage, and consistent hitting is going to trouble anyone - Djokovic himself is testament to this archetype being a successful strategy.

flat hitting as well has always annoyed Novak, which may be even more important here - even long before his decline in years like ‘15-16, RBA and Simon did trouble him. He’s never been a Federer/DelPo who can just hit through players, he’s always lacked an elite serve+1 and putaway FH.

Now, the obvious corollary is that you need to take care of your own serve well and that was ultimately Gilles’ downfall. And Novak will change up his style and dictate, and eventually take your legs (as he did to Brooksby and later, Sinner) so it must be said that its quite a physical and mental feat to pull this off successfully.

That being said it’s plainly obvious that he is not what he used to be and players who actually have the belief, physical conditioning, and consistency to stick with him for 4 hours from the baseline have a big chance at winning.

 

[intrepidish]

I definitely see what you’re saying. In September I personally watched Jenson Brooksby give him a first set breadstick and stick with him from the baseline for a full two hours on Ashe, using the exact strategy. Depth, excellent court coverage, and consistent hitting is going to trouble anyone - Djokovic himself is testament to this archetype being a successful strategy.

flat hitting as well has always annoyed Novak, which may be even more important here - even long before his decline in years like ‘15-16, RBA and Simon did trouble him. He’s never been a Federer/DelPo who can just hit through players, he’s always lacked an elite serve+1 and putaway FH.

Now, the obvious corollary is that you need to take care of your own serve well and that was ultimately Gilles’ downfall. And Novak will change up his style and dictate, and eventually take your legs (as he did to Brooksby and later, Sinner) so it must be said that its quite a physical and mental feat to pull this off successfully.

That being said it’s plainly obvious that he is not what he used to be and players who actually have the belief, physical conditioning, and consistency to stick with him for 4 hours from the baseline have a big chance at winning.

Indeed. Brooksby is one of the few players who has that same commitment to bothering top players with persistence, as well as fewer textbook standard topspin rallies to allow a player like Djokovic to zone. If he were a bit stronger with his fitness (and obviously the serve), he could present some of the very same issues to Djokovic as Simon.

The difference today being that this Djokovic is not the same one who did manage to outlast Simon. Djokovic hasn't looked rock solid in matches hinging on fitness. He has been a great big match player largely but the last thing he wants is a handful of guys like Medvedev and Brooksby (with some improvement to be sure) who would make him have to generate his own pace and play grueling rallies.

 

[JustMy2Cents]

So Meddy is bringing to people's notice his USO win was due to his own strategy.

Spicy times ahead when the 2 again meet up.

For that matter a bit of tips sharing for the other young guns too!

 

[Mark-Touch]

Medvedev didn’t beat Djokovic, Djokovic beat Djokovic.

And Djokovic didn't beat Federer Wimbledon 2019, Federer beat Federer.

 

[onyxrose81]

Meddy beat Novak fair and square, kudos to him. But I can’t at people forgetting that Novak beat him like a drum just a few months later in Paris. And CYGS pressure is a pressure that most people won’t experience so it’s easy to poke fun behind a computer screen.

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

So much pressure that Djokovic suffered a complete breakdown on court and began openly weeping.

Sometimes I think about this and begin laughing to myself!

My feeling was that he was weeping because he was being really supported by the crowd in the final, not because he was losing.

 

[intrepidish]

so it’s easy to poke fun behind a computer screen.

Not sure what you mean; the first person to poke fun here was a Djokovic superfan:

Djokovic beat Djokovic.

 

[sportsfan1]

"My best example is when I played in the Australian Open final. I had won 21 consecutive matches and was fully confident and on a cloud... After the match, I thought, 'How is that possible?' I was feeling good, but something was missing. I was 100% ready to do better in the US Open final...I was better prepared.



From Tennis Head today...

But he doesn't say what was missing, specifically he did to prepare better?

 

[Tshooter]

 

[Quaichang]

He was "prepared" to beat a mentally and physically exhausted Djokovic who faced the biggest pressure in tennis history, while having to beat the likes of Berrettini and Zverev, while he got a cupcake draw of Gasquet and Van de Zanschulp. Not to mention the umpire gave him 2 first serves at a crucial point in the 2nd set, which allowed him to hold serve and not go down a break. Umpire helped him cheat in order to win that set.

Sounds like you are dealing with some PTSD from that loss.

 

[Jokervich]

Sounds like you are dealing with some PTSD from that loss.

Nah been getting on with my life just fine. But it's like Thiem's win at USO 2020. Doesn't count when Djokodal don't play or you beat a very very subpar version of them. That's why I don't insult Wawrinka's slam wins. They were legitimate wins over peak Djokovic and Nadal.

 

[nov]

That 2021 USO final is weirdest one. Djokovic playing **** probably because CYGS pressure or tired, who knows now. He had the crowd on his side somehow first time in his life. I think if crowd was against him, maybe he got more fuel to push harder.

 

[Deleted member 762343]

Fanatics telling themselves Djokovic wasn't atrocious and Medvedev was simply too good. As pathetic and desperate as it can get.

Med prepared so well, he hit a bunch of atrocious dropshots that Novak reached easily and yet dumped into the net. That was peak preparation there.

No, no, you're not supposed to say that as a Nadal fan. Doesn't fit the OP's narrative, you traitor.

 

[intrepidish]

I think if crowd was against him, maybe he got more fuel to push harder.

The crowd being against him really did wonders for Novak at RG this year....

 

[Djokovic2011]

The crowd being against him really did wonders for Novak at RG this year....

RG was played on HC this year? Could've sworn it was still clay. And the less said about that crowd the better.

 

[intrepidish]

RG was played on HC this year? Could've sworn it was still clay. And the less said about that crowd the better.

The variable in this equation isn't the surface, it's the crowd. This idea that Djokovic plays better with a negative crowd just isn't true.

 

[Krish0608]

He was "prepared" to beat a mentally and physically exhausted Djokovic who faced the biggest pressure in tennis history, while having to beat the likes of Berrettini and Zverev, while he got a cupcake draw of Gasquet and Van de Zanschulp. Not to mention the umpire gave him 2 first serves at a crucial point in the 2nd set, which allowed him to hold serve and not go down a break. Umpire helped him cheat in order to win that set.

Really not as big of a flex as you think lol. They are mugs too, just like Gasquet and VDZ. but I do agree Novak was gassed though. Else there is no way Med was ever beating a Big 3 member to win a GS title. It's a fluke.

 

[bostontennis]

Medvedev didn’t beat Djokovic, Djokovic beat Djokovic.

Djokovic over attend the tournament prior to 2020 USO. he didn't beat himself in that final. he was just out of gas.

 

[The Fedfather]

Djokovic being an emotional and nervous wreck is what allowed Medvedev to dominate. Had Novak brought even 80% of his level against Zverev to the final, Medvedev would be in big trouble. Daniil had the luxury of playing with very little pressure from Djokovic who, for the majority of the match, was playing uncharacteristically poorly in every aspect.

 

[intrepidish]

Djokovic being an emotional and nervous wreck is what allowed Medvedev to dominate. Had Novak brought even 80% of his level against Zverev to the final, Medvedev would be in big trouble. Daniil had the luxury of playing with very little pressure from Djokovic who, for the majority of the match, was playing uncharacteristically poorly in every aspect.

Nope. Medvedev has been able to beat Djokovic in straight sets twice and in 4 of the last 7 matches. The idea that Djokovic just 'doesn't bring 80% of his level' in so many matches is risible.