Mats Wilander wonders if Djokovic-Medvedev rivalry could use "a little more fireworks"

INTERVIEW: Novak Djokovic, after his win over Daniil Medvedev in the Rolex Paris Masters final.

Former No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander is enjoying the developing rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev, but says it could use more clash of personality.

The pair have faced off in two Grand Slam finals this season—Medvedev ruined Djokovic's bid to win the calendar-year Grand Slam at the US Open, while Djokovic thumped Medvedev months earlier at the Australian Open. They also just contested a three-setter at the Paris Masters, won by Djokovic, and are currently playing at the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, where they could meet in the semifinals or finals.

Defeating Djokovic in a Grand Slam final showed Medvedev has "arrived," said Wilander, who commentates for Eurosport.

But he wants to see "a little more fireworks between them because there were no fireworks at the [2020] US Open in the finals. There were no fireworks in Melbourne in the (2021 Australian) Open final."

Now ranked No. 1 and No. 2, Djokovic and Medvedev appear to be friendly off the court and practiced together before the Paris Masters.

But Wilander suggested this could be an advantage for the 34-year-old Djokovic, who is much more experienced and has 20 Grand Slams to the 25-year-old Medvedev's one major title.

"I am not sure I necessarily like that Novak and Daniil are hanging out, and practicing together,'' Wilander said. "I think this is great for Novak in the long run.

"Novak learns a lot about his opponents by practicing with them, and I think Daniil is going to learn that Novak is the greatest player of all time by practicing with him. So I think it can only help Novak.”"

Djokovic (1-0) and Medvedev (2-0) are unbeaten thus far at the ATP Finals. Medvedev is the defending champion, while Djokovic is a five-time titlist.