Clay court tennis has been a source of frustration for Daniil Medvedev throughout his career but the Russian now believes he can challenge for the biggest titles on the surface.
The world No.4 is the second seed at this week’s Italian Open behind Novak Djokovic. It was at the tournament 12 months ago when he won his biggest title on the clay by disposing of Holger Rune in straight sets in the final. Until that triumph, had only managed to reach the semi-finals or better at a clay-court Masters 1000 event on one occasion. More recently, at the Madrid Open, he reached the quarter-finals before retiring from his match against Jiri Lehecka due to a minor injury issue which he has since recovered from.
“I changed my perspective on clay courts,” Medvedev told reporters on Wednesday.
“I now play better in Madrid. I was playing very good and I had good victories. Coming to quarters, it’s not even disappointing because what happened (getting injured) can happen, that’s sport. That’s how it is.
“I feel like now on clay courts I can do big results. Not as surprising as last year.”
Rome is the last major event taking place before the French Open which is the only Grand Slam that Medvedev is yet to make it to the last four. Out of his seven previous appearances at Roland Garros, he has reached the quarter-finals once in 2021 but has lost in the first round on five other occasions.
Despite his record, the 28-year-old believes he is heading in the right direction with the help of his team as well as his experience of playing on the Tour. He is coached by Gilles Cervara who has been at his side since 2017. Another member of the Medvedev camp is former player Gilles Simon who won five out of his 14 ATP titles on the clay during his career.
“Two, three years ago, when I would slide to hit a shot, I would always kind of doubt myself if I’ve done the right thing,” he admits.
“Now I kind of know what I have to do. I just try to do it. If it doesn’t work, I’m like, ‘Okay, I try to do better next time.’
“In practice, we can practice more precisely things we want, whereas before it was the same: Let’s practice this, kind of let’s see if it works.
“Last year we kind of found the right exercises, the right movements. We just continued it this year. It’s working great.”
It remains to be seen if Medvedev’s growing confidence will help him secure another new milestone in his career, which is defending a title on the Tour. All 20 of his ATP trophies has been won at different events.
One player standing in Medvedev’s way of the title will be former champion Djokovic who told reporters earlier this week that he is confident of peaking in time for Roland Garros. However, is the Serbian at his most vulnerable when he is playing on the clay?
“Novak, he’s amazing on all the surfaces,” Medvedev commented.
“On a Grass court and a hard court, his game is more suited for these surfaces. That’s where I find Novak amazing.
“My opinion is that on clay his game might have been a bit more vulnerable. He still won three Roland Garros’, I think Monte-Carlo two times, Rome three or four (times). It’s amazing. That’s why Novak is definitely one of the best sportsmen in the world.”
Medvedev has a bye in the first round in Rome. His opening match will be against either Jack Draper or Borna Coric.
