Medvedev and the most honest assessment of a season: "I have zero titles.."

Carlos Navarro | 27 Sep 2024 | 14.45

Daniil Medvedev, following his victory over Monfils. Source: Getty

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Daniil Medvedev is one of those guys who minces no words. The Russian doesn't hold back, always very vocal when expressing his opinions and getting into some controversies that others might avoid. Once again this year, Medvedev is becoming increasingly critical of the balls used in most circuit tournaments, a topic he tackled again during a press conference after his victory over Gaël Monfils in the ATP Beijing 2024. However, his honesty also comes through when self-critiquing after a year in which he demands more from himself.

- Victory over Monfils, but clear complaints about the balls used in Beijing

"It was a tough match. It's not easy to play here. The balls... every week on the calendar, I feel they can't get any slower, but every week I feel they are at least as slow as the previous ones. They become huge, after two games it's almost impossible to hit a winning shot unless you have a very, very fast hand, like Sinner, Alcaraz, or maybe Grigor Dimitrov. There was a moment when we were both aware that we couldn't make winners: we ran, ran, and kept the ball in play. I was able to do it better, so happy to win. I think he got a bit more tired than me, so I could keep doing it and he lost a bit of rhythm."

- The most honest assessment you will read about a season, by Medvedev:

"Definitely, things haven't gone as I would like. I have zero titles. It's clear I'd like something more, it's been a year of ups and downs. Some great moments, others a bit worse. But, well, everything adds up, everything is experience. Overall, I like life on the circuit. I like playing tennis. Whatever happened, happened for a reason. There are still a few tournaments left: somehow, if I manage to play well in these tournaments, I could say the year was a success. It somewhat depends on the last tournaments because so far, it's been a year of ups and downs. I wouldn't say it's amazing, nor would I say it's bad, I'm #4 in the Race. I'm looking forward to see how I respond to this question after my last match in Turin."

- Issues with double faults: how to solve them?

"The thing is, if we go back to my best years, which were possibly 2021 and maybe 2020, I also made quite a few double faults. Sometimes I go for the second serves, other times I lose concentration when it's 40-0. The most important thing is how many double faults I commit in moments like break points. I'm working a lot on my serve. It's getting better all the time. Again, I think that for the past two or three years, the balls have been getting worse and worse. It's more difficult to play with them, more difficult to serve, harder to play rallies, and hit winners. A lot depends on this, that's why I think many players are making more and more mistakes."

- On the possibility of becoming a coach in the future, especially after observing his instructions during the Laver Cup

"I think I could do it. It depends on many things, but it's very possible. As I said, I like life on the circuit. If I were a coach, I surely wouldn't travel 40 weeks a year like I do now; I'd travel a bit less, but I could do it. I'm not sure if I'd be a good coach, but I could try. In the Laver Cup, we're in a team tournament, everyone is trying to help each other. For me, it's a bit difficult; I'm someone who's a bit shy about giving my opinion, especially when there's a top player next to me. When Sascha was playing, I saw some things that encouraged me to give him my advice. It worked. On the other hand, I lost my two matches, I was the only one who didn't score a single point for the team. I thought that if at least my advice worked, I was doing something good for the team; it was a strange feeling."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Medvedev y la valoración más honesta de una temporada: "Tengo cero títulos..."