Daniil Medvedev has crafted his ultimate tennis player, incorporating attributes from the ‘Big 3’ legends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal, along with multiple elements inspired by Nick Kyrgios.
In a video for the ATP Tour, Medvedev was asked to choose between retired and current stars, including himself, to create his ultimate player from a range of characteristics.
The 2021 US Open champion selected both Federer and Djokovic for three categories, while he chose Nadal, Kyrgios – and also himself – on two occasions.
Dominic Thiem also featured as the world No 3’s standout player for a particular attribute, while Corentin Moutet and Steve Johnson were the only somewhat unexpected inclusions.
FOREHAND – Roger Federer
“I’ll go for Roger. Just because is so good, I think that was his best shot. Also the way he sets up with the slice for his forehand. As soon as you go to his forehand you are in trouble.”
BACKHAND – Dominic Thiem
“I would go with Thiem, just because I love when he smashes his backhand down the line or cross court. I think he does it really great.”
SERVE – Nick Kyrgios
“I go with Kyrgios. Especially for his height, he has one of the best serves ever. Nick, regarding the height, power that he has, and the precision – is probably the best.”
RETURN – Novak Djokovic
“Return has to be Novak because just, yeah, the way he returns throughout his career is unreal.”
SLICE – Steve Johnson or Roger Federer
“I’m thinking – I will say two choices. First, Steve Johnson just because throughout his career I don’t feel like he played a lot of spin backhands and his slice in my opinion was really, really good. And Roger, just because his slice is also unbelievable.”
NET GAME – Nick Kyrgios or Roger Federer
“I’ll go with two people – Kyrgios and Federer. I played both Roger and Nick and when they go to the net, it’s just so tough to do anything against them.”
TOUCH – Corentin Moutet
“His touch is really good.”
SPEED – Daniil Medvedev
“I’ll stay with myself. I mean Carlos [Alcaraz] is unbelievably fast. I think maybe the fastest I have seen in my life. Carlos is pure speed. But I love the way I run so I will go with myself.”
FLEXIBILITY – Novak Djokovic
“Oh Novak, straight away. I mean the way he slides sometimes on the big stretch and then [is] able still to hit a shot – unbelievable.”
MENTAL TOUGHNESS – Rafael Nadal
“Rafa for sure. With some of the matches he won, to be honest all of them – Roger, Rafa and Novak – but I will go with Rafa.”
COMPETITIVENESS – Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
“We are all competitive, but I put Rafa and Novak there because what they were able to achieve throughout their career in some of the matches that we witnessed, watching them play – I put both of them there, they are both amazing.”
CELEBRATION – Daniil Medvedev
“I’ll stay with myself, I like my celebrations. Well because I try to laugh about it either with myself or with my friends or with someone of my team.”
Medvedev’s good friend Andrey Rublev recently built his own perfect player, with the world No 6 in agreement with his Russian compatriot for some categories.
