Spain's Alcaraz, the rock in Medvedev's tennis shoe

World number five Russia’s Daniil Medvedev has named Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz as the ‘toughest opponent’ he has faced in his career. The 21-year-old is already regarded as one of the best players in the world in men’s tennis in the singles category along with Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz is set to take part in the upcoming two-team competition where he will be representing the Team Europe. One of his teammate going to be Russia’s Medvedev. The 28-year-old, ahead of the mega-event, spoke to the tournament’s official website and praise his fellow teammate, who, according to him, is the toughest opponent he has ever faced.

“Probably in my career, he’s [the] toughest opponent I have faced,” said Medvedev. That statement is an interesting one considering that the reigning world number five has faced the legendary trio of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as well. Not only that, but he also faced former world number one Britian Andy Murray during this time period as well.

Medvedev has faced Alcaraz seven times in professional tennis and has struggled massively, winning only two of them and suffered five defeats in the process. Their most recent meeting came in the semifinal of Wimbledon earlier this year, where once again, the Spaniard came out on top with a score of 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Medvedev’s first win over Alcaraz came in 2021 in the second round at Wimbledon, where he came out on top in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. His only other win over the Spaniard came in the semifinal of the US Open last year, where he emerged victorious with a score of 7-6(3) 6-1 3-6 6-3. Since then, Alcaraz has won three consecutive matches against the Russian tennis star. Before the semifinal at Wimbledon, the 21-year-old defeated the one-time Grand Slam winner in the final at the Indian Wells in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-1.