Medvedev on Sinner/Alcaraz: ‘Never Underestimate a Third Guy
Medvedev Eyes Hard-Court Reset and Turin Push After Inconsistent Season
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Daniil Medvedev is aiming to rediscover his peak form as the hard-court season begins, acknowledging a challenging first half of the year and outlining his plan to climb back into contention for a seventh consecutive appearance at the Nitto ATP finals in Turin. A recent defeat to Alexander Bublik in the Halle final underscored the need for improvement, but Medvedev remains optimistic about his chances.
The 2020 Nitto ATP Finals champion has experienced a frustratingly inconsistent season, currently holding a 26-16 record according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. This has resulted in a slip to 19th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, a position far from his usual dominance. While past seasons saw him comfortably positioned for Turin at this stage, Medvedev recognizes the competitive landscape and the need for a strong finish.
“It’s very tough in tennis, as I could find 10 reasons and I would not know which one is the main reason,” Medvedev admitted. “Whatever we do, we just try to improve. So we sat down with the team: Where can we do things better? What can we change? We discussed some things and I’m going to try and implement it.”
This self-assessment and collaborative approach with his team signal a proactive response to his recent struggles. Medvedev isn’t dwelling on the past but is focused on actionable steps to elevate his game.
Hard Courts: A Familiar Battleground
Despite the challenges, Medvedev views the upcoming hard-court swing – stretching from Cincinnati to Miami next year – as a meaningful chance. Hard courts represent his preferred surface, where he has historically excelled. He’s embracing the challenge of raising his level on the biggest stages.
“This is the most exciting part of the season, there is hard courts until Miami next year. So I will try to give my best and enjoy it. It’s an opportunity, I want to take it as a challenge of trying to raise my level in the big occasions, trying to go step by step,” he explained.
This positive outlook is crucial. Medvedev isn’t simply hoping for better results; he’s actively seeking to improve and enjoys the competitive spirit of the tour.
The Race to Turin: A Realistic Assessment
While acknowledging the pressure of qualifying for Turin, Medvedev isn’t panicking. He understands the dynamic nature of the Race to Turin and the potential for rapid shifts in the rankings. He recognizes that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are virtually assured of qualification, and Alexander Zverev is well-positioned.However, for the remaining players, every tournament is critical.
“At this part of the season, Turin is a long way to go for everyone except for Carlos and Jannik, who are sure to be there, and maybe Sascha [Zverev] who will have a lot of points to be close to being a little bit calm,” Medvedev stated. “For all the other guys, some tournaments you play good and the other guy plays good, it’s game on or game over.”
He’s realistic about the task ahead, understanding that a deep run in a Masters 1000 event could dramatically improve his standing.
“I usually was in a better position at this time of the year, but I’m very close… You just need to make a quarter-final of a Masters 1000 and you are almost there already, so I just need to play well.”
Medvedev’s perspective demonstrates a clear understanding of the ATP Tour’s competitive landscape and a pragmatic approach to achieving his goals. He’s focused on what he can control – his readiness,performance,and mindset – and is confident in his ability to turn his season around.
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