Emma Raducanu and Daniil Medvedev careers distinction since Novak Djokovic message

Aug 31, 2023 at 4:38 PM
Emma Raducanu and Daniil Medvedev careers distinction since Novak Djokovic message

Two years in the past, Daniil Medvedev and Emma Raducanu acquired congratulations from Novak Djokovic after claiming their first Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows. Now, 24 months later, their careers have panned out drastically in a different way.

Three-time US Open champion Djokovic was magnanimous in defeat to Russia‘s Medvedev. After shedding 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in straight units on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the Serbian wrote on social media: “Daniil, you absolutely deserve your first Grand Slam title.”

The males’s singles runner-up was equally complimentary of Raducanu, describing her run by the event as an “amazing fairytale story.” The British participant turned the primary qualifier to win a Slam within the Open period.

Raducanu additionally ran by the competitors with out dropping a set, turning into the primary lady since Serena Williams in 2014 to realize that feat. In marking the achievement, Djokovic added: “Emma, you are fantastic.”

However, she has but to hit those self same heights once more. In 5 Slams since, Raducanu has 4 mixed wins, with none coming later than the primary spherical.

More just lately, accidents have hit. Undergoing ankle and wrist surgical procedure earlier this yr has finally meant lacking the French Open, Wimbledon, and now the US Open.

Countless pundits have speculated on why she has but to copy her type from 2021. ESPN analyst John McEnroe mentioned earlier this summer season that coming straight out of faculty and turning professional has performed an element.

“One of the reasons why I think kids go to college is that it gives them time to grow up and mature so they can handle things if and when something like this happens,” McEnroe instructed the US Sun. “So it’s more difficult when you’re an 18-year-old and all of a sudden your world changes so drastically.”

Similarly, Medvedev has but to win one other Slam. However, he has put collectively deep runs during the last two years to remind everybody of his capabilities.

The closest he got here to including one other main title got here on the subsequent Slam as soon as the calendar flipped over to 2022. After making it to the Australian Open remaining for the second straight yr, Medvedev finally misplaced out once more, this time to Rafael Nadal, regardless of taking a two-set lead.

A month later, he would mark his rise by overtaking Djokovic within the rankings to turn into World No. 1 for the primary time after the Mexican Open. By reaching the summit of males’s tennis, he broke the ‘Big Four’ dominance of the highest spot for the primary time since Andy Roddick in February 2004.

However, he wouldn’t bother the latter levels of a event once more till this summer season. Fourth-round exits on the French and US Open got here both facet of lacking Wimbledon attributable to their ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Medvedev didn’t fare any higher to begin this yr, with early exits in Australia and at Roland Garros. However, belatedly again on the All England Club, he did advance to the semifinals earlier than shedding in straight units to the eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.