Medvedev: “I’m playing the best tennis of my life on clay”
The former world No 1 is sounding confident ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year
Daniil Medvedev at the Madrid Open (Zuma/PSNewz)
Daniil Medvedev has had what can be described as a “love-hate relationship” with clay courts. Four years ago, he was unequivocal, saying: “There’s nothing I like on clay. There’s always bad bounces, you’re dirty after playing. I really don’t enjoy playing on clay.”
This year, however, ahead of Roland-Garros, he’s a bit more optimistic. He reached the round of 16 in Rome, the quarter-final in Madrid, and the round of 16 in Monte-Carlo, suggesting a level of consistency. His biggest achievement on clay came two years ago, when he won the title in Rome, but he thinks that he’s actually playing better on the surface now, even if his hard-court form isn’t what it was at his peak.
“On clay I personally feel like I’m playing, honestly, the best level of my life on clay, even considering Rome title,” he told journalists at the media day.
“A lot of things came together. If we talk about the game, like the movement, the game, the feeling of the game, I do think I play my best season on clay. So it’s tough for me to answer.
“On hard courts it’s easier for me to answer that, yes, I’m far from the Daniil that I was on hard courts. On clay I feel like I’m even better than before. So that’s all I can answer.
“That’s good for Roland-Garros because I’ll try to show it.”
But the 29-year-old has not forgotten the specific challenge of the Roland-Garros courts.
“Roland-Garros can be tough because sometimes it’s very cold at night, try to hit a winner if you’re not Carlos or Jannik. Sometimes it can be sunny day where the ball is jumping and it’s tough to control. Just have to adapt.”
Medvedev: I’m not far from a great level
Asked if he had considered retirement bearing in mind the physical effort required for his game and his comparative drop in the ATP world rankings, he dismissed the suggestion.
“I feel that I’m really not far from a great level – when I say ‘great level,’ where everything is possible, where finals are possible, Grand Slams are possible, everything. But this not far sometimes is the toughest step. Guys play well. Younger guys, Carlos plays well, Jannik plays well. They probably play a bit better than everyone else right now on tour.
“It’s not easy. But for the moment, I don’t have these thoughts. I mean, I would more understand the question if I’m, like, which ranking would I put, without injuries, out of top 50 would be tough.
“I’m [world No] 11. I’m, like, really close by the points to top 10. So far it’s fine, but I want to be better.”
