How Daniil Medvedev's recent run shows he is a physical beast
Only 92 days have passed in the 2023 season, and Daniil Medvedev has already matched his personal best of winning four titles in a year — 2019 and 2021.
However, the value of these wins increases manifold as one looks at the events of the past year and a half. Medvedev clinched his fourth Masters 1000 title at the 2021 Canadian Open by defeating Reilly Opelka in the final.
In September of that year, Medvedev stopped Novak Djokovic from completing the Golden Slam — winning all four Majors and Olympic gold in the same year — as he won his maiden Grand Slam trophy at the US Open.
Carrying his fine form into the 2022 Australian Open, the Russian faced Rafael Nadal in the final. He lost the match from a commanding position of 6-2, 7-6, 3-2 and 0-40 up. The Spaniard beat him in one of the greatest come-from-behind matches to clinch his 21st Major.
The rest of the season for Medvedev was substandard, to say the least, with him winning only two titles — in Los Cabos and Vienna.
The majority of fans and experts, including John McEnroe, believe that the loss against Nadal shook Medvedev's confidence. Additionally, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its effects on Russian players were seen as possible reasons for the former World No. 1's lackluster performances.
Daniil Medvedev's turnaround after Australian Open 2023
In his first tournament of the year, Daniil Medvedev lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Adelaide International 1. Although he was one of the contenders at the 2023 Australian Open, the two-time Melbourne finalist bowed out in the third round against Sebastian Korda in straight sets.
This was the end of the 27-year-old's string of poor performances. The 2020 ATP Finals champion won the ABN Amro Open in Rotterdam, followed it up by winning the Qatar Open in Doha, and a third consecutive title at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Carlos Alcaraz stopped Medvedev from winning his fourth straight ATP title, beating him in the summit clash at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The Russian didn't let the defeat get to him and at the Miami Open, became the first player since Roger Federer in 2006 to reach five finals before the start of the clay season.
In conditions that suited his game style, Medvedev walked away with his fifth Masters 1000 title and his first in Miami. Apart from Indian Wells, he has now tasted success at every hardcourt Masters tournament.
In these five successful events in a row, Medvedev defeated top players like Djokovic, Sinner (twice), Andy Murray, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Andrey Rublev, and Zverev.
Good line in commentary:
"Medvedev has travelled more than 15,000 miles, crossed 17 time zones, and played 25 matches in 48 days."
I'll add: 5 finals, 4 titles, 24-1 record, wins vs Djokovic, Sinner, FAA, Murray, Rublev, Zverev, Tiafoe.
Specialist in hard courts indeed.
Daniil Medvedev exceeds own expectations, says he hates to lose more than he loves to win
With a win-loss record of 29-3 this year, Daniil Medvedev is currently at the top of the ATP leaderboard. Ahead of the 2023 Miami Open, he remarked that while he was thrilled with his performances over the last few weeks, he didn't know what had changed.
"I managed to get back in the zone, which I didn't really have for all of 2022 when I was less consistent,” Medvedev said. “I would have some good matches or tournaments but out of nowhere, I would have one bad match. I've managed to avoid that for the past four weeks. I have no idea how I have done it, but I am really happy and want to continue.”
After his win over Christopher Eubanks in the quarterfinals in Miami, Medvedev was asked about the secret to his incredible mental strength, to which he replied:
"You never know what's more important, talent or hard work. Actually, both are. Starting from when I was really young, no matter which game I played, I hated losing. I actually hate to lose more than I like to win, and you can kind of see this on the court. That's something I want to improve."
Victory in Miami saw Medvedev rise to No. 4 in the rankings and increase his lead over Novak Djokovic by 600 points in the year-end Pepperstone ATP Live Race to Turin.