The younger generation in men’s tennis is making quite an impression on the older guys.
After prevailing in four sets over 21-year-old Jaime Faria of Portugal in the second round of the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic took a page out of Daniil Medvedev’s book.
“Yesterday Medvedev played 5 sets,” No. 7 Djokovic, who is bidding for a record 25th Grand Slam title, said after his 6-1, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 victory. “In the wise words of Mr. Medvedev.. If the future generation plays this way.. they’re gonna have everything. Money, girls, casino. I just love that statement.”
Djokovic earned his 430th career match win, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most all-time.
Medvedev, the No. 5 seed, made his now infamous statement following his five-set win over world No. 418 Kasidit Samrej in the first round.
Asked about the ability of the 23—year-old Samrej to rise to the occasion in every match, Medvedev said: “Not every match, because I’ve watched his matches and I didn’t see this level. I was surprised!
“But yeah, if he plays like this every match, his life can be good. Money, girls, casino, whatever if he plays like this every match.
“If he doesn’t then he’s not gonna have it. Maybe not in tennis, he’s gonna make it otherwise!”
In that same match, Medvedev went off on a camera attached to the net, smashing it multiple times in frustration — destroying his racket in the process.
As for the young guns in men’s tennis, three teenagers remain alive and two have already pulled off major upsets.
Joao Fonseca of Brazil, 18, stunned No. 9 Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the first round after winning the Next Gen ATP Finals title last month in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Only Jannik Sinner, in 2019 had won the Next Gen title at a younger age than Fonseca, who won all five of his matches at the season-ending tournament for the top-ranked male players aged 21 and under.
“Not bad. I just enjoyed every moment,” he said on court after the win over Rublev. “This court is an amazing court. My first time playing in a huge stadium.”
On Wednesday, 19-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik took out No. 6 Casper Ruud in four sets, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, to reach the third round.
Learner Tien, the 19-year-old American who lost to Fonseca in the Next Gen final, will next face — you guessed it — Medvedev in the second round.
If he pulls the upset, no doubt the Russian will joke about his bright future.
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