Daniil Medvedev 'scared' to play Rafael Nadal on clay and facing Novak Djokovic in Australia is 'tough'

World No. 6 Daniil Medvedev admits that he is scared to play Rafael Nadal on clay. The 2021 US Open winner and 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal have played each other six times — with the Spaniard winning five of their meetings.

Ad However, the Russian has never faced 14-time French Open champion Nadal on clay. Nadal has won 63 of his 92 career titles on clay and is the most successful tennis player in history on the surface. ATP Indian WellsTsitsipas stunned by Thompson, Medvedev beats Nakashima to go 15 unbeaten4 HOURS AGO When Medvedev was asked after his straight sets win over Brandon Nakashima at Indian Wells on Friday who has a tougher baseline game — Nadal on clay or Novak on hard court — he spoke of his fear of facing the world No.

9 on the red dirt. He said: «I didn’t play Rafa on clay. Rafa on clay is probably the worst and best challenge in tennis.

»When I say ‘worst’, it’s because he lost, what, I don’t know, 10 matches? I’m not even sure he lost 10. I mean, last years he was losing a little bit more in tournaments like Rome and Monte Carlo. «But I will be honest, I’m scared to play Rafa on clay.

»In a way I want to try it, and for sure I will fight to win, but that must be scary to go out against Rafa on clay." 'Competing because they love the sport' — Murray's admiration for Gasquet, Wawrinka Kokkinakis 'really enjoyed' Murray loss, believes Alcaraz capable of eclipsing Big 3 'His backyard' — Ruud makes Nadal on clay v Djokovic on hard court comparison Medvedev says world No. 1 Djokovic is also a very difficult test on hard courts, particularly at the Australian Open. Djokovic has won nine of their 14 encounters with the Serb winning all three of their matches in Melbourne, including the final in 2021.