Daniil Medvedev bounced back from his disappointing opening match loss at the ATP Finals with a commanding straight-sets victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur on Tuesday, November 12, showcasing his mental fortitude and ability to adjust his mindset. The 2020 ATP Finals champion had been outplayed by American Taylor Fritz just two days earlier, but his resilience shone through as he delivered an impressive 6-2, 6-4 performance that saw him not drop a single break point throughout the 78-minute encounter. In a post-match interview, Medvedev revealed that a change in his mental approach played a key role in his turnaround.
On Sunday, Medvedev found himself frustrated during his opening match of the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, as he succumbed to Fritz in a straight-set loss, 6-4, 6-3. The Russian was visibly disappointed with his performance, and, in his post-match comments, he voiced his displeasure with the balls being used at the tournament, as well as his own mental fatigue at the tail end of the season. “It’s the end of the season, for sure, mentally tiring, and everyone is tired,” Medvedev remarked, acknowledging that he wasn’t at his best against Fritz. It was a challenging start to the prestigious event, with Medvedev’s frustrations clearly reflected in his demeanor on court.
However, the Russian showed a remarkable recovery in his second match, taking on De Minaur in a contest that proved to be a far more successful outing. This time, Medvedev was much sharper and seemingly more liberated in his approach to the game. Not only did he dominate with a ruthless attacking display, hitting 24 winners to De Minaur’s 10, but he also remained unflappable, ensuring that his opponent never had a sniff of a break point. Medvedev’s performance was a stark contrast to his loss against Fritz, and it came as a welcome boost as he looked to bounce back in the tournament.
When asked about the mental shift that led to his impressive performance against De Minaur, Medvedev shared his decision to embrace a more carefree attitude. “I mean, I decided to not care at all because it’s end of the season, for sure, tired mentally, and everyone is tired… So I decided, okay, I know I see that I’m not able to deal with it right now, so I should just care less,” Medvedev explained.
Medvedev’s approach was one of acceptance — accepting the possibility of failure, but in doing so, freeing himself from the pressure that might otherwise affect his performance. The Russian’s words reflected a shift in his mentality, one that allowed him to approach the match with greater ease. “I lose today, I go home Thursday, perfect. I win today, I have the chance Thursday against Sinner, a great opponent. Whatever,” he added, highlighting his willingness to take the match as it came, without the weight of expectations looming over him.
This approach, he admitted, was not his usual method of dealing with pressure and competition. It was an unconventional strategy that was only suitable for certain moments. However, in this instance, it allowed Medvedev to regain his focus and find his rhythm once again. He acknowledged that sometimes, letting go of the stress and simply playing for the sake of playing could work wonders, and in this case, it had. “Sometimes you have to do it, and I’m happy it worked today,” Medvedev said with a smile, reflecting on the success of his mental recalibration.
Medvedev’s victory over De Minaur also saw him employ another psychological tactic, one he described as “blocking the noise.” After securing the win, the Russian celebrated in his unique way, by shutting his ears with his fingers, a gesture that symbolized his ability to block out distractions and focus solely on the task at hand. When asked about the meaning behind this gesture, Medvedev revealed that it was part of his overall strategy to shut out any negative thoughts, including his own. “I went into this match blocking the noise, even from myself,” Medvedev explained. “I really didn’t care what was happening on the court, I just tried to play, and it was a good feeling. Sometimes it’s good to block it [the noise], and I did that well today.”
This mindset shift was a key factor in Medvedev’s performance against De Minaur. Rather than obsessing over the result or the pressure of the occasion, Medvedev focused purely on the enjoyment of playing the game. His carefree mentality helped him stay in the moment, without being bogged down by the usual anxiety or self-criticism that sometimes accompanies high-stakes matches at such a prestigious event.
Looking ahead, Medvedev’s win over De Minaur keeps him very much in the mix at the ATP Finals. He will face Italian rising star Jannik Sinner in his final round-robin match on Thursday, November 14, with the winner of the match potentially earning a spot in the semifinals. Sinner, who has been one of the most impressive young talents on the ATP Tour in recent years, is sure to provide a formidable challenge for Medvedev. However, with the mental shift that helped him recover from his earlier loss to Fritz, Medvedev will be confident heading into that match, especially considering the form he displayed in his dominant win over De Minaur.
Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur, who had shown his usual tenacity but was unable to break through Medvedev’s solid serving and aggressive play, will now turn his focus to his final round-robin match against Taylor Fritz. While both players have shown flashes of brilliance during their matches, the outcome of this final round-robin match will determine their respective fates in the tournament.
As the ATP Finals continue, Medvedev’s display of mental resilience and tactical flexibility serves as a reminder of the mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level of tennis. In a season that has been long and physically demanding for many players, the ability to manage one’s mental state has never been more crucial. Daniil Medvedev’s return to form, inspired by his “carefree” mentality and his focus on “blocking the noise,” shows that sometimes, the key to success is simply letting go and playing without the burden of expectations.