Daniil Medvedev contemplates whether an appearance at the Olympics hampered his title chances in Cincinnati and the US Open.
Famed for his hard-court ability and his lack of clay-court fondness, Daniil Medvedev’s decision to fly out to Paris was met with a few dubious glances.
The Russian has admittedly worked hard to improve his ability on the red stuff after a handful of first-round exits at Roland Garros and a notorious outburst where he suggested clay ‘is for losers’.
Despite an unsuccessful outing for the most part and a poor first month on the North American hard-courts, Medvedev has sought to set the record straight over whether the Olympics actually derailed his US Open campaign.
Daniil Medvedev gives unequivocal response when quizzed over potential Olympic regret
Even as recent as this June, Medevdev said he didn’t like playing on clay, yet nonetheless donned his country’s colours at the Paris Olympics.
After historically performing well on the hard-courts in both Masters events in Montreal and Cincinnati, Medvedev struggled for form this year, losing in both his opening matches.
Quizzed on this significant stumble, Medvedev was asked whether his Olympic outing caused his sluggish start this year.
“I don’t regret it at all,” the 28-year-old said resolutely to Russian outlet More. “I knew why I was making that decision.
“First, the Olympics are important to me. Second, they happen every four years. I really liked Tokyo and I really liked Paris. Yes, I wish I had played much better, but it’s clay, it’s Roland Garros, I struggle there,” he admitted.
“If we talk about the season, maybe I could have prepared better for the hard-court swing, maybe I could have played better in Montreal and Cincinnati. But if it had been that way, who knows. If I hadn’t gone to Paris, who knows, maybe I wouldn’t have gotten injured training on hard court. I’m disappointed with the result, but it’s every four years so I’m going to play.”
Medvedev dropped just one set en route to his first major title, defeating Novak Djokovic in the US Open final in 2021 – a year that also saw the Tokyo Olympics take place on the hard-courts. That year he also picked up the title in Montreal.
Daniil Medvedev’s US Open run was still overwhelmingly positive
While consecutive opening round exits in Masters events certainly isn’t how Medvedev planned things, his resilience has been impressive.
During a US Open of upsets and shocks galore, Medvedev remained steely to make his way to the last eight.
In what was effectively a dress rehearsal for the final, the Russian took a set off Jannik Sinner – the last set he lost before lifting the trophy a few days later.
While his dismal and winless Laver Cup run was something he’d sooner rather forget – a blip at an exhibition? Who cares?
Making the Beijing final a fortnight later and the last eight of the Shanghai Masters – losing again to Sinner – Medvedev has since gathered himself well and will be after a big result at the ATP finals in Turin next month.