In the midst of what has been an extraordinary second half of 2019 for Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, he is still hungry for more on the tour.
The world No.4 approaches the final stages of the season as one of the most inform players after reaching six consecutive finals. Becoming the first active player outside of the Big Four to do so. Since Wimbledon, he has claimed a duo of Masters titles in Cincinnati and Shanghai, as well as winning the St. Petersburg Open. He has won 59 matches so far this season, which is more than any other player on the ATP Tour.
As a result of his rapid rise, Medvedev is knocking on the door of breaking into the world’s top three. Although he is 1200 points behind third place Federer. To put that into perspective, the Russian didn’t make his debut in the top 15 until February this year. Although it is the world No.1 ranking he is hoping to claim one day.
“It’s hard to explain because when I was No. 15, I was good already. Then I wanted to get into the top 10, which is never easy.” Medvedev said during media day at the Paris Masters.
“And then with the US series when I lost during the third round, I managed to get in the top 10. And you can tell yourself, Okay, I’ve done a full circle, but I didn’t want to stop.’
“I just want to see how far I can go. It could be No. 1. If it doesn’t happen, that means that I wouldn’t be strong enough. And I know that to get to be high up in the race, you have to do a significant effort, but I’m trying to do my best.”
Life has changed for the 23-year-old both on and off the court. Following his run to the US Open final, he signed a high-profile endorsement deal with BMW in his home country. The value of the contract was never disclosed to the public, but on the court he has already made $6.955 million in prize money so far this season.
“More people recognise me in Russia and Europe and New York. In New York, I had to wear a hoodie all the time,” he explains about his newfound fame. “That’s because I have worked so much. I have to live with it. That’s part and parcel of my achievements and this is what I’m doing.”
Whilst he seems pretty invincible at present, Medvedev knows better than everybody that it can’t last forever. He has won 29 out of his past 32 matches played on the tour and is 11-0 in quarter-finals since January.
“It’s not that I’m afraid, but rather I don’t want it to stop. I want to work as hard as I can to make sure that this momentum doesn’t stop. It has worked well so far, and I hope to continue. But we never know.” He concluded.
At the Paris Masters Medvedev will open up his campaign against either Sam Querrey or Jeremy Chardy. He is bidding to become the fourth Russian player to win the tournament.
