Gilles Simon shares how he helped Daniil Medvedev beat Novak Djokovic for first time

Gilles Simon reveals in some methods he truly helped Daniil Medvedev clinch his first win over Novak Djokovic as he gave some suggestions and recommendation to the Russian earlier than his 2019 Monte Carlo Masters match in opposition to the Serb.

A few days in the past, it was introduced that world No. 4 Medvedev was including former world No. 6 Simon to his workforce. The collaboration drew consideration immediately as many discovered it attention-grabbing that Simon and Medvedev – two gamers with very related sport kinds – determined to type a partnership. 

Now, 39-year-old Simon has revealed extra particulars about his partnership with Medvedev as the previous French tennis star thinks serving to the Russian beat Djokovic in 2019 might be one of many the explanation why he’s now part of his workforce. After shedding to Djokovic of their first three conferences, Medvedev lastly acquired a win over Djokovic within the 2019 Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinal after handing out the Serb a 6-3 4-6 6-2 loss. 

“Daniil contacted me and requested if I’d be focused on doing a couple of weeks with them (Medvedev and his workforce) in 2024,” Simon advised Le Figaro. 

“Earlier than his 2019 Monte Carlo quarterfinal match in opposition to Djokovic) he had mentioned to me: ‘Novak…what do you suppose?’ I had defined to him the way to play and he had gained (his first win over Djokovic of their fourth assembly). He remembered, which is why he needed to attempt it out with me.”

Simon: I began working with Medvedev even earlier than the 2024 season began

Initially, it was believed that Medvedev and Simon began working after the Australian Open. However now, Simon reveals they’ve truly been working since December. Throughout this 12 months’s Australian Open – the place Medvedev made the ultimate earlier than shedding to Jannik Sinner in 5 units – Simon would make an evaluation earlier than the Russian’s matches and ship him ways and recommendation from his dwelling.

“I’ve already been working with him since December, however we haven’t mentioned something. In Australia, I despatched all of the ways. Throughout Daniil’s matches, I’d ship directions to Gilles Cervara, who would move them on, or not, in actual time to Daniil! That’s actually the place I may help him,” Simon added.

“For instance, he gave me a listing of 16 gamers he doesn’t wish to play in opposition to, and I ready 16 ways!

“Daniil is extraordinarily sturdy tactically, feels very exactly what must be executed, but it surely occurs to him, like everybody else, to make errors. Due to feelings, as a result of he’s impatient… So I attempt to clarify it to him, and I feel he likes it.”

In the meantime, Medvedev is ready to kick off his second match of the season at this week’s ATP 500 occasion in Dubai – the place he’s the defending champion and the top-seeded participant. In his Dubai opener, Medvedev performs in opposition to Alexander Shevchenko, who he defeated of their lone assembly on the Madrid Masters final 12 months.