Daniil Medvedev? Yeah, he’s caught the eye of Rennae Stubbs, that former Aussie tennis star. She’s all praises for him after his recent showdown at Indian Wells.
So, Medvedev faced off against Carlos Alcaraz for the second time in a row at this championship in California. Despite his top-notch performance, taking down three of the top-20 players, he couldn’t clinch the win.
Alcaraz, with his power-packed groundstrokes and agility, was just too much. Medvedev, though, didn’t go down without a fight. Battling not just Alcaraz but also a crowd that was clearly in the Spaniard’s corner. Talk about tough.
It’s kinda funny, isn’t it? How quickly fans can overlook the sheer grit of a player like Medvedev when their favorite is winning. Stubbs pointed this out on her podcast, the Racquet’s Rennae Stubbs Podcast. She’s got a point.
“I have so much respect for him,” Stubbs said. Medvedev might ruffle feathers on the court, even trying to get the crowd going against him. But, according to Stubbs, it’s rough because Alcaraz is such a fan favorite that Medvedev hardly gets the credit he deserves.
Stubbs didn’t stop there. She lauded Medvedev’s never-say-die attitude, recalling how he faced a similar situation at the Australian Open against Jannik Sinner. In her eyes, Medvedev’s resilience is something that should be celebrated more.
“It’s so hard to watch sometimes,” she admitted, talking about how Medvedev doesn’t get the love he should. But she respects him, especially for his warrior spirit on the court.
Now, with two finals lost this season and slipping to World No. 4, Medvedev’s eyes are set on the Miami Open. He’s got to defend his title there, and with the clay season approaching—a surface he’s not too fond of—it’s crucial he makes a mark in Florida.
Takeaways
– ‣ Daniil Medvedev has earned praise from former Australian player Rennae Stubbs for his performance and resilience, despite losing in the Indian Wells final to Carlos Alcaraz for the second consecutive year.
– ‣ Medvedev demonstrated a warrior-like mentality during the match, fighting against both Alcaraz’s superior play and a crowd largely in favor of the Spaniard, showcasing his resilience and determination.
– ‣ Despite facing challenges, including less crowd support compared to his rivals and having lost two finals this season, Medvedev is set to defend his title at the Miami Open, with an eye on improving his performance ahead of the clay-court season, which he traditionally finds challenging.