After losing at the US Open, Medvedev graciously refers to Sinner as “one of the best.”

After losing at the US Open, Medvedev graciously refers to Sinner as “one of the best.” The No. 5 in the world After several shocking early-round exits, Daniil Medvedev emerged victorious in the men’s singles draw as the lone US Open Champion.

Nevertheless, the 2021 US Open champion lost in the quarterfinal encounter at Arthur Ashe Stadium because he was unable to overcome the challenge posed by Jannik Sinner.

Medvedev was magnanimous in defeat despite the setback, speaking candidly about his competition with Sinner and referring to him as “one of the best players in the world.” Additionally, he stated that important matches like this one motivate him to perform better.

It’s difficult. He ranks as the greatest player in the world, therefore he really is among the finest, and he deserves it. It’s difficult to play against him. He has a good sense of the game. He frequently picks the perfect shot at the perfect time.

I actually enjoy playing players like him because that’s when things get really tight, where every point counts, and you have to figure out how to counter the breakpoint by wondering what he does,” Medvedev said to the US Open 2024 press.

Medvedev vs. Sinner: A blockbuster competition

This year, Sinner and Daniil Medvedev faced up in three Grand Slam matches, with the Italian emerging victorious for the second time. But Medvedev, who defeated Sinner in the Wimbledon 2024 quarterfinal, was delighted to play him more frequently at major championships.

“I believe that the crowd enjoys the bouts, as each one was intriguing in its own right. Yes, I’d be delighted to face him more in Grand Slams,” he continued.

The anti-doping controversy was dismissed by World No. 1 Sinner, who went on to defeat 2021 US Open champion Medvedev. He defeated the Russian 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, and 6-4, but it was by no means an easy victory. Sinner’s triumph was a wild one as he advanced to his first-ever US Open semifinal.

Medvedev, who finished second in the US Open in both 2019 and 2023, committed six double faults and 57 unintentional errors. Sinner won in two hours and 39 minutes, despite not being at his most precise. He was much better on serve. Nonetheless, Medvedev believed that his struggles against Sinner—with whom he previously lost the Australian Open 2024 final—had been difficult.

“Playing with him last year was tough for me, but I felt like I was doing the right things today compared to some of our matches when he started to beat me. Such rivalries push me.” Simply put, I didn’t do them justice. Thus, I believe that the match itself demonstrated that both I and he were acting morally.

“I believe that after this match, we both realize that we now feel the same way he does. All that’s changed, of course, is that he won and I lost. He will therefore feel better.

It appeals to me. You know, having such intense rivalry always motivates me to improve, and occasionally I succeed and sometimes I fail. The only thing I can do is attempt to do better the next time.”