Australian Open 2024: Novak Djokovic v Daniil Medvedev and tennis’ most unlikely friendship

They’re two of the most fiery and competitive stars in the tennis world – but Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev aren’t enemies. Far from it. And the backstory of their bromance is remarkable.

Novak Djokovic (L) with Daniil Medvedev (R) ahead of their Davis Cup match-up in 2017. Picture: Getty

An unlikely ally has heaped praise on Novak Djokovic even as he plots to end the Serbian superstar’s five-year winning run at Melbourne Park.

World No.3 Daniil Medvedev has lifted the lid on an early encounter between him and Djokovic in 2017, when the Russian was a young up-and-comer who had just broken into the top 100.

Russia and Serbia had just been drawn to play in the first round of the Davis Cup.

Days out from the tie, Medvedev and Djokovic were hitting together when the latter asked if his young rival would like to travel with him to the match in Serbia.

“For sure the story was unbelievable,” said Medvedev.

“We practiced with Novak. That was so funny. He was even like, ‘Oh, we play Davis Cup in a couple days … do you want to go with me?’

Novak Djokovic (L) with Daniil Medvedev (R) ahead of their Davis Cup match-up in 2017. Picture: Getty

“Honestly, I feel like I’m a shy person. At first, I say no, no. Federation already took tickets for me. It was one stop, three hours away or something.

“I was there (thinking) maybe I actually should have said yes. In one hour, when the practice finished, (I asked) Novak: ‘Really? I can come with you?’

“He (said) yeah.”

Days later the two players would lock horns for the very first time in their careers.

Only a week shy of his 22nd birthday, Medvedev won the first set and pushed the then-world No.2 for another two sets before retiring early in the fourth due to cramps.

“I gave Novak a tough time. (I) completely cramped out of the court, for three hours after the match I couldn’t move, it was unbelievable,” he recalled.

“Honestly, this trip was unbelievable. It’s good to know I could make Novak suffer on the court already back then.”

Djokovic’s generosity didn’t extend to the court – but the pair have clashed many times since and built a great rivalry. Picture: Getty

Medvedev and Djokovic have played another 14 times since then, including in three grand slam finals.

Djokovic boasts a 10-5 head-to-head advantage on his Russian rival and is 2-1 in slam finals – including the 2021 Australian Open decider, which he won comfortably in straight sets.

But Medvedev is one of the few players in the world – now and years gone by – who has regularly troubled the 24-time grand slam champion.

They could reprise their incredible rivalry in the final next Sunday, assuming both men successfully navigate their respective sides of the draw.

Medvedev dispatched No.27 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets on Saturday night to book a place in the fourth round.

Medvedev has enjoyed his share of success against the tennis great. Picture: Getty

He will play unseeded Portuguese Nuno Borges on Monday for a spot in the quarter-finals.

As Medvedev outlined his desire to return to the Australian Open final and make amends for his two prior defeats, the 27-year-old reflected on how he had matured as a man and player since his first clash with Djokovic.

“At the time I was taking tennis seriously when I was on the court, but let’s call it not 100 per cent, maybe 90 per cent or something like this,” he said.

“I cramped (in that 2017 Davis Cup match) because I was not focusing on the food.

“I could basically eat fast food before the match. At the time I would think it is not important and it doesn’t matter, what matters is your forehand (and) your backhand.

“Then step by step I understood how important off-court life is. Sleep, food, treatment, whatever – all these small, small little details.”

Daniil Medvedev reacts during his third-round victory over Auger-Aliassime. Picture: Getty

It was the small details that helped Medvedev past Auger-Aliassime on Saturday night only 40 hours after he stepped off-court at 3:49am having been pushed to five sets by Emil Ruusuvuori.

The Russian revealed he did not get to bed until 7am, as he still had to complete his post-match recovery process which included an ice bath and physiotherapy.

Medvedev said he “was not 100 per cent” for his third-round clash but would be back up to speed in time for Monday’s match with Borges.

The 2021 US Open champion knows if he is to add a second career grand slam title to his resume, it is likely he will have to defeat Djokovic to do so.

But even with that knowledge, and after their years of heated battles, Medvedev said he would still occasionally reflect on that day in 2017 when the Greatest of All Time treated him like an equal.

“I think that’s what sometimes people don’t know about Novak,” he said.

“He can be tough on the court, like I can be. He can be this and that. But since the first time I met him, I was (ranked) 400 in the world. Now I’m (number) three in the world, was (number) one in the world, (but) I feel like he treats me like before.

“For sure I became more of a rival than before, for him. But the treatment off court when we see each other is the same. I like this about him. I find this very good from him as a person.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2024: Novak Djokovic v Daniil Medvedev and tennis’ most unlikely friendship