"Defeats don't affect Daniil Medvedev, they help him" - Carlos Alcaraz's coach Juan Carlos Ferrero taking 'maximum precautions' for duo's Wimbledon SF
Carlos Alcaraz's coach Juan Carlos Ferrero has expressed his deep respect for Daniil Medvedev ahead of the duo's clash in the semifinals of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. Ferrero also lavished praise on Medvedev's ability to learn from his losses, but emphasized that they are preparing for any new tactics the Russian might think to try.
Alcaraz and Medvedev will battle it out for a coveted spot in the final of the grasscourt Major on Friday, July 12. The World No. 3 kept his hopes of a successful title defense alive by advancing to the semifinals with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win over Tommy Paul.
Medvedev, meanwhile, battled past World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, securing a hard-fought 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3 victory to book his place against the defending champion.
Speaking to the media ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, Carlos Alcaraz's coach Juan Carlos Ferrero disclosed that Daniil Medvedev's impressive win over the "unbeatable" Sinner has increased his respect for the World No. 5.
Although Ferrero expressed his belief that his protege's playing style is more conducive to troubling Medvedev, he admitted that their team is taking "maximum precautions" for the match.
"Medvedev has earned our respect. Yesterday he beat Sinner, who we said was almost unbeatable on grass because of his style of play. It's true that Carlos plays differently to Jannik and can do a little more damage because of his style of play. We are fully focused and taking maximum precautions," Ferrero said (via Marca).
Ferrero also expressed his admiration for Medvedev's ability to learn from his defeats and make the necessary improvements, anticipating that the 28-year-old will employ new tactics after his loss to Alcaraz at Wimbledon last year.
"We beat Daniil here last year, but then it was he who beat us in the US Open semi-finals. It says a lot about him that defeats don't affect him and that they help him to be better. I'm sure that on Friday he will try something different," he added.
Carlos Alcaraz holds the upper hand in his rivalry with Daniil Medvedev
Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev have locked horns in six tour-level encounters, with the Spaniard enjoying a 4-2 lead in their head-to-head record. The World No. 3 also emerged victorious in their most recent encounter in the 2024 Indian Wells Masters final, winning 7-6(5), 6-1.
The duo's first-ever meeting took place in the second round of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, where Medvedev defeated the Spaniard 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. Alcaraz flipped the script in their semifinal clash at last year's grasscourt Major, securing a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 triumph en route to his maiden title at SW19.
However, their latest meeting at a Major went the way of the Russian, who triumphed over Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals of the 2023 US Open.
The winner of their blockbuster semifinal clash at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships will take on Novak Djokovic or Lorenzo Musetti in the all-important final.