Daniil Medvedev will head to Monaco with renewed hope of maintaining his solid start to 2026.
After all, it has already been an improvement on his torrid 2025 campaign, amassing three wins at the Australian Open, two more than he managed across all four Grand Slams last year.
Having also reached the final of Indian Wells, there is a feeling that we are starting to see glimpses of the best the 30-year-old has to offer.
It will be intriguing to see whether this form translates to the clay.
Daniil Medvedev speaks about his relationship with clay
Speaking ahead of his return to action in Monte Carlo, Daniil Medvedev smiled as he discussed his relationship with clay.
However, whilst some might suggest it is his worst surface, he has insisted that he has nothing left to learn about it.
Will Daniil Medvedev ever win another Grand Slam title?
The Russian argued: “I’ve learned to play better on clay in recent years. I understand the game better, so there’s nothing to say.
“So, I don’t think there’s anything anyone in the world can tell me anything about playing on clay where I’ll say, ‘Wow, how could I not have known that before?’ Now I’m going to be like Rafa [Nadal] at Roland Garros.
“Everyone’s just working, trying to find some tactical or technical solutions, and we’ll see how it goes.”
Despite this, Medvedev recently claimed he’s unhappy with one aspect of his 2026 season thus far.
Daniil Medvedev’s historical record on clay
Medvedev may think there is nothing left for him to learn on clay, but his statistics on the surface might suggest otherwise.
After all, it is by far his worst, despite having won a Masters 1000 event on the clay of Rome.
His 64% win rate is admirable, but 4% lower than his record on grass and a further 6% lower than his average win rate across all surfaces of 70%.
Unsurprisingly, he boasts a 75% win rate on hard, which is his most favoured surface.
His sole big title on clay can never be taken away from him, but it was hardly a triumph that he had been building towards. Before that 2023 triumph and since, he has only ever reached one semi-final at any clay event at the Masters 1000 level or above.
Last year, Medvedev also exited Roland Garros in the very first round.
