This is his moment to shine, Washington figures: Hard courts like the ones utilized at are his favorite when practicing tennis. And he especially enjoys the U.S. Open, which is in a month.
It doesn’t matter how the French Open or Wimbledon goes or what else he has accomplished this season. Throughout his career, he has advanced to six Grand Slam finals, all on hard courts.
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In an interview in Washington, where he was slated to face Corentin Moutet in the quarterfinals on Friday, Medvedev stated, “Usually, this is the most important part of the season for me.” And since I didn’t have the finest year, it’s quite important to me this year. I feel prepared and in fantastic physical condition because I had a lot of time following Wimbledon.”
Medvedev lost his first set against big-serving Reilly Opelka at the D.C. Open this week, but he won the following four sets, a tournament in which he finished second in 2019.
Why does the 29-year-old Russian perform so well on hard courts?
Many things. My ball travels the farthest through the air. My serve moves more quickly. The courts also appear to be moving somewhat quickly this year. The courts on the ATP seem to be getting slower and slower these days. But it’s really quick here. Medvedev, who has been at No. 1 and is currently at No. 14, his lowest position in almost six years, stated, “I like the way it plays.” Appreciating the way it plays is one thing, but winning is quite another. However, I do believe I am capable of great things.
Yes, he has in the past.
His triumph, where he won the final to complete the first calendar-year Grand Slam by a man since Rod Laver in 1969, would have to be at the top of any list. Who was able to forget that year but Medvedev? and in 2023, to Djokovic.
Additionally, Medvedev competed in three Australian Open finals, losing to current No. 1 Jannik Sinner in 2024.
He has advanced to the French Open quarterfinals on red clay, his least preferred surface, and has twice reached the semifinals on Wimbledon’s grass.
This time, Medvedev lost in the first round of the French Open in May and Wimbledon in June after losing in the second round of the Australian Open in January.
In his first two majors outings, he has not lost back-to-back first-round matches since 2017.
When asked if he tries to forget about it or if he prefers to think about it, Medvedev answered he would place himself somewhere in the middle.
Reflecting on his 7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2 loss to 64th-ranked Benjamin Bonzi at the All England Club, he remarked, “It does bother me.” I remember sitting there after Wimbledon feeling like I didn’t play all that well. Additionally, you’re losing the first round. The man lost in the second round, so you know he’s certain to lose in the second or third. You think, “Damn,” “I didn’t play that awful, and I’m losing in the Grand Slam first round for the second consecutive time.
Medvedev claimed that traveling to Ibiza for a few days of fun and beach relaxation helped him get over it.
Then, with a hopeful outlook, it was time to return to work.
I am confident that I can defeat anyone once I return to this level. According to him, that is the source of the optimism. Simply put in a lot of effort and attempt to regain this level and rhythm, and rankings and results will follow.
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