"Some players get advantaged... but it's big disadvantage for me" - Daniil Medvedev bemoans court and ball quality after shock Paris Masters 2R loss
Daniil Medvedev spoke the quality of the court and that of the balls in use at the ongoing Paris Masters. The Russian's admission came in the aftermath of his shock second-round loss at the ATP Masters 1000 event to Alexei Popyrin.
Medvedev came into the Paris Masters as one of the contenders for the title, despite his wayward recent form. Being the No. 4 seed at the event, the Russian received a first-round bye, and faced Popyrin in his opening match at the tournament on Wednesday, October 30.
Shockingly, Daniil Medvedev lost to Alexei Popyrin for the first time in four ATP Tour-level meetings in Paris. The Russian produced a dismal 14 double faults and also stirred controversy when he hurled his racket straight up into the air. Ultimately, the former World No. 1 lost 4-6, 6-2, 6-7(4), marking one of the upsets of the tournament so far.
Later, at a press conference, Medvedev first reflected on the quality of the hardcourt at the Bercy Arena in Paris. According to the Russian, it proved too fast for him to adapt to. The 2021 US Open champion also opined that such courts benefited some players but adversely affected his own chances of winning matches, even in the early stages of tournaments.
"Yeah, maybe, when I say a bit too fast, when it's the fastest on tour, you can feel it, everyone can feel it, so we're like a bit of surprised. We need time to adapt to it. I have a bigger problem on tour. You know, some players get advantaged by it; some players disadvantaged. It's okay. It can happen. But it's big disadvantage for me," Daniil Medvedev said.
The 28-year-old proceeded to talk about the balls in use at the ATP Masters 1000 event. Medvedev suggested that from a single can of six balls, each ball behaved differently, which, according to the Russian, shouldn't be the case.
"As I say, some players will like this ball, so I get it. I'm crying because it disadvantages me. But if you take six balls out of the new balls out of the can, if you look closely and you bounce them, there are going to be six different balls. I don't think that's how it's supposed to be," Medvedev added.
Previously, At the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters, which took place earlier in October, Medvedev had said that the balls there were more beneficial for rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
"It's Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, it gives them an extra edge" - Daniil Medvedev at Rolex Shanghai Masters 2024
After a hard-fought third-round win over Matteo Arnaldi at the Shanghai Masters, Daniil Medvedev said that the balls used at the tournament favored rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
"I think it basically favors people who can benefit power from dead balls. Some have better quality with this. Some don’t. Actually the two best players at doing this.. they’re already the best players in the world.. and I’m sure they would be without the balls, but with these balls.. they’re the only players who can generate crazy power. It’s Jannik and Carlos. It gives them an extra edge," Medvedev said.
The Russian went on to lose to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals in Shanghai. Medvedev's next outing is set to come at the year-end Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, which is slated to commence on November 10.