Daniil Medvedev faced one of his toughest years in 2024, realizing he must improve against Jannik Sinner to reclaim major titles. He appeared worn out at the ATP Finals, admitting a lack of motivation, partly blaming the slower balls used in tournaments. These balls favor strong hitters like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, making it easier for them to dominate from the baseline.
Medvedev initially had success against Sinner, winning their first six encounters. However, he has since lost nine straight hard-court matches to him. Sinner’s rise this season is undeniable; he claimed victories at the Australian Open, US Open, and ATP Finals, finishing as world No. 1.
Despite Medvedev’s mental struggles towards the end of 2024, he remains committed to improving his game for next season. Fans might think he’s determined not to let this year define him.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ru Daniil Medvedev | 28 | 6,485 | 27 - 8 |
Challenges and Changes:
Last year saw Medvedev bring Gilles Simon into his team; however, Simon’s impact was limited during a title-less season for Medvedev. In a chat with Kommersant, Medvedev mentioned plans to work closely with Simon and his team to better handle the ball situation and find strategies against Sinner.
“Yes. This year has been tough,” Medvedev acknowledged about the challenges due to less training time because of the Olympics.
He shared that while Simon tried helping during Grand Slam events, significant changes couldn’t be made there immediately. “But I need to try to find a way to beat Jannik Sinner again,” he emphasized after numerous losses recently.
Medvedev felt frustrated by some defeats where he learned nothing new and aims to change that in the off-season. “They often say that defeats teach you,” he reflected on experiences from Montreal and Cincinnati Masters after transitioning from clay at the Olympics.
“And before Parisian clay came Wimbledon grass,” yet Medvedev doesn’t regret attending the Olympics: “It was a good experience.”
What do you think? Can Medvedev bounce back stronger next season?
