Daniil Medvedev ‘trying to catch’ Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Daniil Medvedev has spoken about the ‘challenge’ presented by rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, after being beaten in finals by both players this year.
Medvedev is coming off the back of losing the Indian Wells final to Alcaraz for a second consecutive year, and is now looking to defend an ATP title for the first time in his career at the Miami Open.
Indian Wells is the second final that Medvedev has lost in 2024, having also been defeated in the Australian Open final from two sets up against the aforementioned Sinner.
And the world No.4 has revealed that he is trying to ‘adapt’ his game to compete with Alcaraz and Sinner, “I’m trying to catch them here and there. But for me, it’s always a good challenge when we have these young guys coming up, it makes you only better.
“The more I will play, the more young guys will come, and the more I’ll try to adapt my game and that’s what I’m trying to do right now.”
Medvedev has won 20 ATP titles, but has never managed to win two titles at the same tournament and is hoping to end that record this week in Miami.
The Russian claims he is ‘feeling well’ from his practice in Florida so far, “I had two days of practice, I’m feeling quite well on the court.
“Normally, I like the court here, especially last year. It was pretty fast and this year it seems fast too, but I haven’t played on Stadium yet. I like Miami, I’m ready to play and hopefully I can play good tennis.”
The 28-year-old added, “[It is] Never easy when you play late at the [previous] tournament to go straight to another one. But at the same time, you gain confidence by making the final, so I feel ready.”
Hello Miami. Very nice to be back!
— Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) March 18, 2024
Medvedev will begin his Miami Open title defence this evening against world No.86 Marton Fucsovics.
Inside the baseline…
Daniil Medvedev has very much been the bridesmaid so far this season, and has actually not won an ATP title since May last year in Rome, despite being in five finals. Four of those five final defeat have come to either Jannik Sinner (3) or Carlos Alcaraz (1), which shows why Medvedev is trying to adapt his game to compete with his younger rivals on tour. It will be interesting to see if Medvedev has any hangover from the Indian Wells final later today against a tricky opponent in Marton Fucsovics.
READ NEXT: Jannik Sinner hopes Carlos Alcaraz rivalry ‘has just started’
Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
Social >> Facebook, Twitter & YouTube
Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner
