Medvedev surrenders to Alcaraz: "He is the toughest opponent I have faced in my entire career"

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 12 Jul 2024 | 20.00

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Despite starting with a set in his favor, Daniil Medvedev ended up with a defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal of Wimbledon 2024. The world number 5 closes his grass campaign with a very positive balance, securing victory over Jannik Sinner as his most valuable result on this surface this season. During the press conference, the Russian player reflects on the tournament and talks about his loss against Carlitos.

Improvements compared to last season in his match against Alcaraz

"It was a very, very tough match; Carlos plays really well. I felt like the game plan I had wasn’t going too badly; it was a much tighter encounter than a year ago. I thought I was serving well, but I only hit 5 aces; he gets to every ball, runs for everything. Maybe I could have finished some points at the net, but I didn’t. In my opinion, he played much better than all my previous opponents, which is why I lost, there’s not much more to add," explains Medvedev. "The plan wasn’t to go to the net, but to not give him too much time. When he has enough time, he hits a winner."

"He makes you miss every simple shot. That's what I try to do, but not as fast as Carlos. I hit a great shot against him, but he returns with a spectacular passing shot. On the next one you try to hit it better, but you hesitate on whether to come to the net. I remember a point where I hit a good overhead, then had an easy volley after, but I missed. You’re constantly questioning whether to go for the line. He dominates with his tennis, he has the ability to do so because of his power. I felt that I was doing the right thing, but still, he was breaking my serve."

Alcaraz's ability

"I faced the Big 3 when they were older, over 30. They are all different, different in their own way, in their play. I don't think Carlos has anything of them. It’s a different playing style. He can do everything, defense, attack, counterattack, super aggressive... If you hit an easy shot for him, you know the point ends there, that's what makes it difficult. He's the toughest rival I've faced in my career. I still have time to try to do better."

Advancements and surfaces

"Grass is not my favorite surface, but I played pretty well here these two weeks. Last year I got crushed, today I felt that wasn’t the case. I was much closer, just a bit worse at some key moments. It’s all about experience. I will try to raise my level next time I play against Carlos, try something new. I have more opportunities on hard courts, that’s for sure."

Consecutive matches against Sinner and Alcaraz

"In a way, it is something that can help you. You have the same intensity, the match holds the same significance, it can help you in the next one because you are already preparing to play at that level. I think the match against Jannik helped me to face Carlos today. That's why I won the first set. It's tough because they are two of the best players in the world. From one point of view, you don't want to play against them; you'd rather face another opponent."

Back to clay courts

"It will be a new experience. I don’t like changing surfaces, not even going back to hard courts; it’s complicated. I need time to adapt. I won't have much preparation for the Olympics because I went far in Wimbledon. I have no idea how I’ll handle it, whether I’ll be at peace or angry. I have my goals in mind, in doubles and mixed doubles. I don’t think I’m the favorite for singles, not even to win a medal, but I will try."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Medvedev se rinde ante Alcaraz: "Es el rival más duro al que me he enfrentado en toda mi carrera"

ATP