Daniil Medvedev displays on his 2024 season | ATP Tour

Match Response

Medvedev proud regardless of ‘Six and a half out of 10’ season

World No. 4 went trophyless all season for first time since 2017

November 14, 2024

Whether or not issues go to plan or do not go to plan, Daniil Medvedev hardly ever minces his phrases on the subject of sincere self-assessment.

The 28-year-old was in a sometimes philosophical temper on Thursday night time in Turin, the place his season ended with a straight-sets defeat to Jannik Sinner on the Nitto ATP Finals. Regardless of a group-stage elimination on the prestigious season finale to verify his first season and not using a tour-level trophy since 2017, Medvedev recognized loads of positives to steadiness out his 2024 disappointments.

“Most likely I’ll end No. 4 on the planet, except Taylor [Fritz] pulls a giant upset, which is superb,” mentioned Medvedev in his post-match press convention. “[I don’t] must say it. It is superb. Within the sport that’s that demanding, with so many gamers, I need to be No. 1 on the planet, however I did not play properly sufficient this 12 months, by far, to be No. 1 on the planet. Jannik is enjoying a lot better. He proved it many occasions.

“However I am No. 4 within the massive tennis world. I am tremendous proud about that as a result of I struggled all through the entire 12 months. Each follow, each match was a wrestle for me. Lots of matches. Earlier than I’d really feel I had the sting on the opponent and win it straightforward. Now I wanted to win three units, tie-breaks, breaks ultimately of the set, et cetera.

“I’d [rate my season] someplace round six and a half out of 10, which implies plenty of work to do to be higher, however nonetheless plenty of good reminiscences additionally. I am trying ahead for subsequent season already.”

Except for when he put collectively a three-game streak within the second set of his Ilie Nastase Group match towards Sinner in Turin, Medvedev struggled to claim himself towards the No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings. Once more, the 20-time tour-level champion was glad to place his difficulties towards the Italian into perspective.

“Jannik performs good. He is in full confidence proper now,” mirrored Medvedev. “I watched his follow earlier than the match. He barely misses a shot and he hits robust. Many occasions, plenty of gamers that do not miss rather a lot, not less than they do not hit robust. He can hit robust, very robust, most likely one in all possibly high three, 4, 5 hitters on Tour, and does not miss.

“It’s robust to play him. He places you underneath stress. You need to take care of it. In a means I did not take care of it properly sufficient. I missed some pictures in some vital moments. He received the match. Mainly, sort of straightforward as that.”

Thursday’s defeat in Turin was Medvedev’s fifth in six conferences this 12 months with Sinner, who now leads the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence 8-7. The Italian has prevailed in a single remaining (on the Australian Open), one semi-final (Miami) and two quarter-finals (on the US Open and in Shanghai), making him a significant perpetrator on the subject of explaining Medvedev’s trophyless 2024.

“Look, he is barely dropping this 12 months,” mentioned Medvedev of Sinner. “If you wish to win a title, you’ll face him at one second. It is not straightforward to beat him. Lots of people strive. Lots of people fail. There’s principally one man who does it a little bit bit extra occasions than the others, and it is Carlos [Alcaraz]. He is a really, very robust opponent.

“He is possibly the most effective gamers I’ve confronted. I confronted the Huge 4 a little bit bit after they had been a little bit bit older, and possibly [their] velocity was not the identical. I’ll attempt to work in pre-season. Possibly at one level he loses his confidence, begins to overlook some balls. In any other case, everybody, not solely me, is in for very, very robust years forward of us as a result of he is very younger.”

Famend for his defensive abilities and refusal to lie down in prolonged rallies, Medvedev has by no means been shy of onerous graft. The previous World No. 1 is able to get again to work within the offseason as he seeks larger success towards his closest rivals on Tour.

“Within the preparation, for certain we will attempt to I believe actually construct one thing a little bit bit new,” mentioned Medvedev. “I see proper now that it is not adequate, particularly towards guys like Jannik and Carlos. I am unsure I can change into higher, however I’ll strive. I’ll attempt to change into higher in some elements.

“I really feel like if we speak purely tactic, I really feel like I performed high quality. It is simply execution. It’s essential to not miss, go, go, go for it. I did not handle to do it. That is what we will work rather a lot in pre-season, to construct a little bit bit higher model of myself, which isn’t straightforward if you’re 28 years previous.

“About titles… I am not that involved. As I say, each event is hard to win… In fact, I need to win Masters and Grand Slams greater than different tournaments. However possibly go to a different event and win it. You by no means know. Basically, I had some excellent runs and a few very dangerous tournaments, so it is okay for me.”