Daniil Medvedev has admitted that he is unsure if he will be fit in time to headline next week’s Kremlin Cup which will be held in his home country of Russia.
The world No.2 says he will review his plans over the next two days before coming to a decision after crashing out of the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday. Medvedev was leading Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 4-1, before the Bulgarian staged an impressive comeback to clinch the match in three sets. Bringing an end to his run of nine straight match wins on the Tour. Medvedev was playing in his first tournament since winning his maiden major title at the US Open.
“He definitely flipped the switch. I did become a little more tired maybe, and at the same time, it’s not that I started missing everything and like really playing bad. I still maintained some level, so many matches it would be enough to finish the match,” the Russian said during his press conference.
“About Grigor (Dimitrov), I have not much to say. He played the second part of the match better than anybody did against me in the US Open that I won. So playing this level, I don’t see him losing to anybody, but let’s see the result.”
Medvedev says ‘a few things’ came up during Indian Wells related to his physical fitness but he didn’t elaborate as to what they were. It is these issues, as well as fatigue, which will prove decisive on whether he will play in Moscow or not next week. He hasn’t played in the Russian capital since the 2018 Davis Cup tie against Belarus.
“It’s my hometown, so I wanted to give myself at least a chance to sign (up), and this time I’m in the draw,” he said about playing at the Kremlin Cup.
“The deadline is Friday. To be honest, I did feel exhausted at this tournament (Indian Wells) and there were a few things coming up during the tournament in terms of my physical condition.’
“I’m going to see in the next few days after this tough match if I’m going to be able to compete in Moscow, which I really want to do but I need to take care of my body.”
Besides Moscow, the 25-year-old is still on course to play in the Paris Masters and ATP Finals where he is the defending champion at both of those tournaments. Those two tournaments will get underway next month.
So far this season Medvedev has won 50 matches on the ATP Tour with 38 of those wins occurring on a hardcourt. Besides the US Open, this season he has also won the Canadian Masters, as well as two ATP 250 tournaments in France and Spain.
