Daniil Medvedev acknowledges it’s “very unusual” that he has 20 titles in his assortment with out ever profitable the identical match twice however provides that he’s simply taking a look at it as “an unfortunate factor” and nothing greater than that since he enters each match decided to win all of it.
Since changing into an ATP champion at an ATP 250 match in Sydney in 2018, 28-year-old Medvedev has gained 19 extra titles. And Medvedev has gained titles on each degree – the ATP 250, ATP 500, Masters, Grand Slam, ATP Finals.
Whereas Medvedev has been one of the crucial completed ATP gamers during the last a number of years and has gained a minimum of two titles yearly since 2018, he simply hasn’t been in a position to elevate title greater than as soon as on the similar match.
In some tournaments – just like the US Open the place he’s a three-time finalist however has one title – Medvedev has been in a position to make a number of occasions however simply hasn’t managed to win it twice.
This week in Rome, Medvedev is hoping to win the Rome Masters and eventually put an finish to his “unusual stat.” On Saturday, Medvedev – who had a first-round bye in Rome – defeated Jack Draper 7-5 6-4 to progress into the third spherical at Foro Italico and arrange a third-round assembly in opposition to Hamad Medjedovic.
Medvedev on by no means profitable one match twice
Final yr in Rome, Medvedev did one thing for the primary time in his profession when he gained his first clay title got here at Foro Italico. This yr, Medvedev is hoping to defend his Rome title and repeat as champion at one match for the primary time in his profession.
“It’s extremely unusual. I’d assume it is like coincidence, unfortunate factor. I do not care which match I play, I wish to win. Does not matter whether or not I win it earlier than or not. Each match I play, I wish to win. I actually hope that one time in my profession I can win someplace I win earlier than. Now’s the possibility right here to do it, and I’ll attempt,” Medvedev mentioned of by no means profitable one match twice.
“About clay? I prefer it extra now relating to the sport. Once more, when somebody asks me what is the factor you actually hate about clay, for me it is soiled. I do not like. Locker rooms are soiled. Whenever you come, you clap the footwear to get out the clay. It is soiled. Socks, you possibly can throw away after clay season, for certain. In your automotive after observe, it is soiled. So I do not prefer it. It’s what it’s. Now I take pleasure in it an increasing number of.”
Medvedev on Dominic Thiem asserting retirement
On Friday, 2020 US Open champion and former world No. 3 Thiem introduced his profession can be coming to an finish later this yr. After battling accidents over the previous few years and failing to rediscover his outdated recreation after a critical wrist damage sustained in mid-2021, 30-year-old Thiem – now ranked at No. 117 on the planet – has determined to stroll away from professional tennis.
For Medvedev – who’s simply two years youthful than Thiem – it was a tragic information to listen to the Austrian mainly being pressured to retire as a result of his wrist did not enable him to once more be the identical participant he as soon as was.
“Yeah, I’d say that it is a bit of robust to see somebody like Dominic retire as a result of perhaps he is youthful than another gamers that retired. I am not in his physique, in his thoughts, to know precisely the wrist and all the pieces,” Medvedev mentioned of Thiem retiring later this yr.
Towards Thiem, Medvedev has a 3-3 head-to-head file. A few of their greatest encounters got here within the 2020 US Open semifinal, when Thiem defeated Medvedev 6-2 7-6 (7) 7-6 (5) en path to profitable the title. Later that yr, Medvedev beat Thiem 4-6 7-6 (2) 6-4 within the ATP Finals ultimate for his first title on the prestigious season-ending match.
“We had some I felt unbelievable moments. Me personally, probably the most I keep in mind is the US Open semifinal and the ultimate in London of the ATP Masters. On the US Open I felt like I used to be taking part in good, in an excellent run, semifinal. He beat me. I used to be stunned with the way in which he performed, stunned in a means the place he performed excellent, very robust,” Medvedev recalled.
“On the ATP Finals, it was unbelievable as a result of in my view he performed perhaps even stronger than on the US Open and I managed to show this round. I keep in mind these two matches.
“It is a pity to see him battle after his damage and by no means be capable of come again to the extent he was earlier than. I am certain, understanding him, he will be high quality with out tennis. He’ll have an excellent life, completely satisfied life. I believe that is a very powerful, so I want him all the perfect.”
