“He’s old, we’re not gonna lie”: Daniil Medvedev jokes about Novak Djokovic’s age before Beijing semi-final
ATP
Daniil Medvedev could not resist a joke about Novak Djokovic's age after booking his place in the China Open semifinals, but the Russian was quick to acknowledge the level of the challenge waiting for him in Beijing. Medvedev will face Djokovic in the final four after the 39-year-old Serbian came from behind to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic's victory extended his extraordinary winning streak in Beijing to 32 matches and once again showed his ability to compete with players from the younger generation despite the physical challenges he has faced recently. The packed crowd in the Chinese capital remains firmly behind the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who continues to attract huge support at the tournament.
Medvedev, meanwhile, arrives at the semifinal in similarly impressive form. The former world No. 1 has now won seven consecutive matches during the Asian Swing after lifting the Hangzhou Open title last week, before continuing his run in Beijing with straight-set victories over Pablo Carreno Busta, Jan-Lennard Struff and Francisco Cerundolo.
The Russian defeated Cerundolo 7-6, 6-3 on Sunday to set up his 16th ATP Tour meeting with Djokovic. The head-to-head record strongly favours the Serbian, who leads 10-5 and has won five of their last six encounters, with their most recent meeting coming in the 2023 US Open final.
Medvedev jokes about Djokovic’s age
Medvedev was relaxed when asked about the possibility of facing Djokovic, pointing to his experience in big matches while admitting that there is still something unusual about seeing the Serbian competing at this stage of his career.
“I played a lot of matches like this, so I'm not gonna be like over-stressed or over-excited, but it's always fun to play these guys. I'm gonna enjoy their match.”
The 30-year-old then turned his attention to Djokovic, making light of the age difference between them while still stressing that the Serbian remains capable of producing an extraordinary level.
“Novak is crazy because he's, I mean, he's old, you know, we're not gonna lie, but he can play so good still.”
The comment came after Djokovic had once again shown that his age has not prevented him from competing with the best players on tour. His win over Zverev was particularly notable given the German's form heading into the match, with the world No. 2 arriving on a nine-match winning streak.
“Novak is crazy because he is old - we’re not gonna lie - but he can play so good” 😅👴 @DaniilMedwed previews his semi-final match against the winner of Zverev vs Djokovic! #ChinaOpen https://t.co/JU47pA3oNO
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 4, 2026
Djokovic - Medvedev H2H
| Year | Event | Round | Winner | Score |
| 2023 | US Open | Final | Novak Djokovic | 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 |
| 2023 | Dubai | Semifinal | Daniil Medvedev | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2023 | Adelaide 1 | Semifinal | Novak Djokovic | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2022 | Nitto ATP Finals | Round Robin | Novak Djokovic | 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) |
| 2022 | Astana | Semifinal | Novak Djokovic | 4-6, 7-6(6), RET |
| 2021 | Paris Masters | Final | Novak Djokovic | 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2021 | US Open | Final | Daniil Medvedev | 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2021 | Australian Open | Final | Novak Djokovic | 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2020 | Nitto ATP Finals | Round Robin | Daniil Medvedev | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2020 | ATP Cup | Semifinal | Novak Djokovic | 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 |
| 2019 | Cincinnati Masters | Semifinal | Daniil Medvedev | 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2019 | Monte-Carlo Masters | Quarterfinal | Daniil Medvedev | 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 |
| 2019 | Australian Open | Round of 16 | Novak Djokovic | 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3 |
| 2017 | Eastbourne | Semifinal | Novak Djokovic | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2017 | Davis Cup | Round Robin | Novak Djokovic | 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 10-8 RET |
Djokovic remains a major test for Medvedev
Medvedev did not stop at the joke, making clear that he understands Djokovic is no longer quite the same player who dominated the sport and won three Grand Slam titles in a single season, but remains an extremely difficult opponent.
“Maybe, of course, a bit worse than before when he was winning, you know, three slams a year, but still such a tough opponent,” the Russian added. “So gonna be interesting to see their match and prepare for the winner.”
That assessment will be put to the test in their semifinal. Djokovic has won five of the pair's last six meetings, although Medvedev's most memorable victory over the Serbian came on the biggest stage when he beat him in the 2021 US Open final.
Their most recent meeting was a very different occasion, with Djokovic winning the 2023 US Open final to claim his 24th Grand Slam title. Three years later, they will meet again with Medvedev riding a seven-match winning streak and Djokovic continuing to prove that he can still defeat the younger players at the biggest moments.
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For Medvedev, the challenge is therefore not simply about facing a 39-year-old Djokovic. It is about confronting one of the players who has caused him the most problems throughout his career, at a tournament where the Serbian has now won 32 consecutive matches.
Now there will be no need for Medvedev to prepare for a potential Djokovic meeting. The matchup is confirmed, and their 16th chapter will come with the Serbian holding the clear advantage in their rivalry, while Medvedev arrives with the confidence of a seven-match winning streak.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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