Daniil Medvedev sets record straight about Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic flight

Last week on a flight to the United States, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic ran into each other while both appeared to be sitting in first class. Had any other two players had that kind of encounter, maybe the situation is not so newsworthy. But because the two players are among the best to ever play the sport and have a seemingly cold relationship the two seeing each other caught the attention of tennis fans.

Nadal and Djokovic took a photo together and maybe had a little chat, but the rest is pretty much unknown. We know that both are scheduled to play in the first Masters 1000 of 2024 at Indian Wells beginning March 6 and we can assume them being on the same flight was an accident. In fact, maybe it is odd that they do not take the same flight more often.

One could also presume that highly successful tennis players have their own planes and don't take commercial flights often. This might be presuming too much. Or maybe that happens more when flights are from one city to another on the same continent.

Daniil Medvedev has thoughts about Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic flight

Recently, though, ATP No. 4 Daniil Medvedev was shown the photo that Nadal and Djokovic took together and the Russian had an interesting perspective. He was first surprised that Nadal and Djokovic were leaving for the United States so early before Indian Wells was set to start. Nadal, though, is participating in the Netflix Slam against Carlos Alcaraz on March 3 so his early trip makes sense.

According to a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) from CNN contributor Reem Abulleil, Medvedev said players running into each other on planes doesn't happen often but it does happen. And when it occurs, it's normally a fun moment. But only a short moment.

Medvedev said, "So that was my first question, 'Why so early?' But it's fine. I guess they didn't for sure talk to each other before to choose the same flight. So, it was a surprise for them. When you see another tennis player like this on a plane, it's a good surprise, especially them who have been rivals for like 20 years. So, it's just a fun picture. But that shows how the tennis tour is. You see another player on the plane, you just laugh about it, you take a picture and maybe they talked a little and then you forget about it...That's how tennis tour is, friendly and easygoing."

Fair enough. Still, how fun would it be to have Medvedev on a flight? One can hope.

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