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Medjedovic on Djokovic vs. Alcaraz: ‘Each avenue was empty’
The 21-year-old received final 12 months’s Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF
August 13, 2024
Manfred Laux
Hamad Medjedovic is a four-time ATP Challenger Tour champion.
By Grant Thompson
Serbia’s capital metropolis Belgrade is dwelling to roughly 1.6 million individuals. Historic landmarks, museums and points of interest preserve a gentle stream of visitors all through town. However Hamad Medjedovic will always remember the best way Belgrade was through the Paris Olympics gold-medal match when Novak Djokovic secured his profession Golden Slam.
“I keep in mind when he was taking part in, each avenue was empty. You would solely hear the shouting, the voices of individuals screaming,” Medjedovic advised ATPTour.com at this week’s ATP Challenger Tour 100 occasion in Cary, North Carolina.
“I feel prior to now few years, sports-wise, I feel that is the largest consequence that we have had. All people was ready for him to win it. Clearly he did all of it, besides that one. We had been all so glad after he received it.”
Djokovic, who has spent greater than eight years as World No. 1 the PIF ATP Rankings, has been instrumental in Medjedovic’s journey to skilled tennis. The 37-year-old has supplied recommendation and offered sources to assist his countryman, whether or not it’s amenities, coaches or monetary help.
Medjedovic earned certainly one of his largest rewards on the finish of final season, when he received the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF, which has featured previous champions reminiscent of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas. “I feel I will do not forget that week for the remainder of my life,” Medjedovic stated.
The youngest of 4 siblings to retired dad and mom, Medjedovic acknowledges that “it is going to be robust to do something after Novak”, however he too needs to show his early success right into a storied profession that conjures up Serbian youngsters to start taking part in tennis. Maybe beginning together with his nephews and niece, with whom Medjedovic particularly enjoys spending time when he’s dwelling.
“It is one of the stunning issues that I like to do off the court docket, spending time with them. One sister has three children, twin boys who’re two years previous and a woman that’s 4 years previous. They watch typically after I’m on TV, my sister places it on,” Medjedovc stated. “It is simply so cute seeing the movies after that. I am melting at any time when I see them watching me.”
The four-time ATP Challenger Tour champion suffered a virus firstly of the 12 months, holding him sidelined aside from 4 tournaments in as many months. He has since proven flashes of his greatest degree, pushing Daniil Medvedev to 3 tight units in Rome and qualifying for Roland Garros for the second consecutive 12 months.
Medjedovic this week returns to arduous courts for the primary time since March on the ATP Challenger Tour.
“I feel the Challenger Tour is the extent that everybody has to undergo in an effort to get to the ATP, the extent we’re all aiming for. I feel the extent on the Challenger Tour is fairly scary,” Medjedovic stated. “Hopefully I will get to the High 100 and higher in order that I can play all of the ATP tournaments, however undoubtedly, the Challenger Tour is the important thing for each participant that desires to develop and be a greater participant.”
