Medvedev says Djoko’s greatness will be recognised eventually

Daniil Medvedev (left) with winner Novak Djokovic. Pic/Getty Images

The tide is turning in tennis legend Novak Djokovic's favour in gaining the respect he deserves from followers of the sport but he may have to wait for years post-retirement to be fully appreciated, says Daniil Medvedev.

World number two Medvedev was speaking after Djokovic had come back from a set down to beat him 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final in Paris for a record-breaking 37th Masters 1000 title on Sunday. This came a day after the Serbian, 34, won his semi-final to assure himself of another milestone - season-ending World No. 1 for a seventh time.

In doing so he ended Medvedev's slim hopes of toppling him, two months after the Russian dashed Djokovic's dreams of a Grand Slam sweep in the US Open final. Medvedev believes the man he calls "his friend" will eventually get the recognition he deserves for his achievements. "I have the feeling that people start more and more to respect what he has done in tennis," said Medvedev.

"Because, well, he continues to beat the records. I feel like unless they are real haters, which are not real fans, people start to see what he's done and to see that he's able to do more."

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