Daniil Medvedev's coach Gilles Cervara was proud of the Russian's Australian Open campaign. Cervara said the World No. 2 exhibited great "inner strength," an attribute he loves to see in his charge.
Medvedev lost to Rafael Nadal in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday. Despite racing into a two-set lead, the Russian failed to capitalize on his momentum. Instead, he found himself on the receiving end of an incredible comeback by the Spaniard, who won the match 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.
After the final, Cervara took to Instagram to hail Nadal for his "amazing win." He also congratulated Medvedev for his brilliant performances in the quarterfinals, semifinals and final in Melbourne.
![Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open 2022](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/97eaf-16436176460288-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/97eaf-16436176460288-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/97eaf-16436176460288-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/97eaf-16436176460288-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/97eaf-16436176460288-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/97eaf-16436176460288-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/97eaf-16436176460288-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/97eaf-16436176460288-1920.jpg 1920w)
"We got it in our….! But what a final, what a tournament!!! 1st, Congrats to the winner Rafa Nadal for this amazing win. 2nd, big big congrats and very very proud of Daniil for what I saw and felt on every match…specially 1/4, 1/2, and final…" Cervara captioned his Instagram post.
"This inner strength during fights…that’s what I love to see and feel…to reach this level of strength it’s what we can expect to see as a coach… Bravo Fighters can be proud of them…" added the coach.
Medvedev himself fought back from a two-set deficit in his quarter-final encounter with Felix Auger-Aliassime, even saving a match point in the process.
"You are an amazing champion" - Daniil Medvedev on Rafael Nadal
![Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev at the 2022 Australian Open](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/f8abc-16436180177104-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/f8abc-16436180177104-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/f8abc-16436180177104-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/f8abc-16436180177104-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/f8abc-16436180177104-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/f8abc-16436180177104-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/f8abc-16436180177104-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/f8abc-16436180177104-1920.jpg 1920w)
In the post-match interview, Medvedev heaped praise on Nadal, calling him an "amazing champion." The Russian said it was incredible how the Spaniard "raised his level" despite being two sets down to win his 21st Grand Slam title.
"You raised your level after two sets for the 21st Grand Slam. I thought you were going to get tired. Maybe [you did] just a little but you still won the match. You are an amazing champion. I think you guys still have a good rivalry. It is not over yet, but congrats. It was unbelievable, and congrats to your team," said Medvedev.
This was Medvedev's third loss in four Grand Slam finals. His only victory came against Novak Djokovic at the 2021 US Open, where he beat the Serb in straight sets.
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here