Daniil Medvedev is having the worst season of his profession, not less than since he grew to become a high participant. The Russian champion has not received a single title in 2024 and is unlikely to have the ability to break this curse on the Nitto ATP Finals. The previous world number one was defeated in two units by Taylor Fritz on his debut in Turin, displaying clear indicators of nervousness in the course of the match. The 2021 US Open champion is now not capable of play his greatest tennis even on his favourite floor and his disaster is changing into an increasing number of acute.
Daniil’s 2024 had began very effectively, having reached the ultimate on the Australian Open, however that defeat towards Jannik Sinner only one set from victory left its mark on his thoughts. The participant from Moscow has misplaced his certainties and his stage has dropped quite a bit in comparison with his requirements.
Medvedev’s serve has worsened, with numerous doubles faults in every match, whereas the tempo from baseline now not places his opponents in hassle. The Russian blamed the balls a number of occasions, which in his opinion would solely favor a sure sort of gamers (akin to Sinner and Alcaraz).
Medvedev is annoyed
The previous world No. 1 should defeat Alex de Minaur on Tuesday to keep away from being eradicated from the ATP Finals. Nonetheless – throughout his press convention – the Russian participant confided that he wouldn’t be so sorry to finish his season. “I at all times struggle. As I mentioned, since very long time I struggle with one thing that does not rely upon myself,” Medvedev defined. “I am fighter. I’m nonetheless 4 on this planet. Is perhaps 5 if Taylor performs good right here. Nonetheless fairly respectable. I am certain a whole lot of guys would love it. However now I am drained to struggle it. I am drained to struggle towards one thing that does not rely upon myself. I will see the way it goes. Right now truly I had my possibilities. I will have them the subsequent matches. If it does not work out, I’m going on vacation. I am joyful” – he added.
Daniil additionally talked concerning the balls: “The balls make that everybody can [play long rallies] now. So under no circumstances shocked,” Medvedev mentioned. “I’ve this each day, day in, day trip, since like two, three years. Each observe is a battle. Each match is a battle. I used to be holding for very long time. Now I really feel zero pleasure of being on the courtroom.”
A controversial angle
The 2021 US Open champion had a really controversial angle within the second set, when Fritz transformed a break level with a fortunate shot. Medvedev threw his racket on the courtroom, conceded a penalty level and was booed by the group. It isn’t the primary time Daniil has expressed his frustration in latest months and there’s a sense that he must take a break from tennis proper now. The Russian champion must work laborious within the coming months to get again in form and be prepared for the 2025 Australian Open, the place he must defend the ultimate reached this yr.
Fritz – alternatively – was good at not getting distracted and getting an important victory within the Ilie Nastase group. The American ace will face world No. 1 Sinner on Tuesday. “I used to be capable of grind via some lengthy rallies or get some free factors” – Fritz mentioned after his win over Medvedev.
“I felt at 5-3 he was going to reset and check out as laborious as he might to interrupt me, I needed to inform myself he’s not going to only be performed with the match. It’s very simple typically when somebody’s doing that to chill out and assume they’re simply going to be performed, and then you definitely drop your stage. I needed to keep centered and play sport, as a result of he was going to struggle. I served a terrific sport” – he concluded.
Taylor might overtake Daniil within the ATP rating if he will get consequence on the ATP Finals. The American is having the perfect season of his profession, having reached his first remaining in a Grand Slam match on the US Open. Medvedev additionally reached a Main remaining this yr, however his hole to Sinner and Alcaraz has widened quite a bit in latest months.
The previous world No. 1 thought he would win extra Grand Slam titles with out the Massive 3, however two new gamers have overtaken him within the ATP tour’s hierarchy. The champion from Moscow will work quite a bit along with his staff in the course of the low season to search out new weapons to make use of on the courtroom, however he’ll first have to search out the precise serenity.
