Daniil Medvedev comes clear: ‘I don’t like clay’
2 min read Daniil Medvedev has risen to No. 2 on the planet on the again of his unimaginable consistency throughout the hardcourt swing however the Russian says he will probably be outdoors his consolation zone when he takes to the clay for this week’s Monte Carlo Masters.
Medvedev changed Rafa Nadal as No. 2 final month, turning into the primary participant outdoors the Spaniard, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to be ranked within the prime two since Lleyton Hewitt in July 2005.
But all 10 of his profession titles have come on onerous courts and the 25-year-old has by no means managed to get previous the primary spherical of the French Open on the pink clay at Roland Garros in 4 makes an attempt.
“Honestly, there’s nothing I like on clay,” Medvedev informed reporters with a wry smile on Sunday.
“There’s always bad bounces, you’re dirty after playing. I really don’t enjoy playing on clay.”
Medvedev reached his second Grand Slam last on the Australian Open in February on the again of a 20-match successful run that noticed him decide up trophies on the Paris Masters, ATP Finals and team-based ATP Cup.
His run included 12 straight wins over top-10 opponents and ended with defeat to top-ranked Novak Djokovic within the last at Melbourne Park.
The Russian, who lives in Monte Carlo, had one in every of his finest outcomes on clay two years in the past when he beat Djokovic on his option to the semi-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 occasion however says it’s troublesome to adapt his sport to the floor.
“Mentally for me the most important is to know that some shots that maybe would be winners or I would win the point on hard courts, it’s definitely not the case on clay courts,” he stated. “Working on placing some extra spin, some extra trajectory.
“All of this is tough because for nine-10 months, I’m playing like I’m used to, then I have to change it for two months, still keeping the things that I do well also.”
Medvedev has a bye within the first spherical in Monte Carlo and can play the winner of the match between Serbian Filip Krajinovic and Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia.
