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Daniil Medvedev has made it no secret that he isn't a fan of the clay season.
By Yasmin Syed
Daniil Medvedev admitted that he still doesn't like the clay (Image: Getty)
Daniil Medvedev has doubled down on his dislike for the clay ahead of his first tournament on the surface. The world No. 4 will get his Monte-Carlo Masters campaign underway this week after taking some tips from his secret weapon, new coach Gilles Simon. Although Medvedev still doesn’t like the clay, he is adjusting his expectations after lifting his first title on the surface last year.
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Medvedev is the fourth seed in Monte Carlo, his first clay-court tournament since he crashed out of the French Open in the first round last year and said he was “happy” to be rid of the surface. Despite his disappointing result in Paris, the 2023 clay swing was a positive one for Medvedev.
He reached the quarter-final in Monte Carlo and lifted the trophy at the Rome Masters - his first clay title. But the 28-year-old still doesn’t enjoy this part of the tennis season even after bringing a new voice into his coaching camp.
Medvedev hired Simon - a five-time title winner on the clay - at the end of 2023 and the former world No. 6 just departed Monaco after giving his charge some pointers. However, it doesn’t mean that the Russian has fallen in love with the dirt. “I still don’t like clay too much, just because my game doesn’t suit it perfectly,” Medvedev told Eurosport.
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Daniil Medvedev reached the quarter-final in Monte Carlo 12 months ago (Image: Getty)
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“It’s much tougher for me to adapt to different circ*mstances, either bad bounces or a guy that has a good kick-serve and stuff like this. So a lot of small details I have to take care of, which I managed to do last year and some years before in Roland Garros.”
The former world No. 1 is still motivated to have a good run at the French Open following last year’s early exit. He reached the quarter-final in 2021 and will aim for a career-best result at the Parisian Grand Slam next month. He added: "So I actually have in a way higher and higher expectations for clay every year than before, which can sometimes be tricky but at the same time I like high expectations because when you have high expectations, it means you have the confidence.
“Sometimes you can lose and lose this confidence, but sometimes it can actually bring you higher. So I'm really looking forward to Roland-Garros. I feel like lately I managed to find a small edge at Grand Slams and play well starting from Wimbledon in 2023.” For now, his focus will be on the first clay event of the season in Monte Carlo.
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Daniil Medvedev won his first clay title in Rome last year (Image: Getty)
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While Simon will not be in his box this week, the retired French player has been in Monaco giving Medvedev some pointers ahead of the tournament. Given Simon’s own success on the surface, the 28-year-old is hoping that he will have an extra edge on the clay this year.
Medvedev explained: “Gilles left yesterday. He was here for the preparation phase and will be in Rome and Roland Garros. He is an ex-player, a good player. Good tactically and was playing good on clay, so from his side he brings small details.
“So far it has been working well. It is me who plays on the court, so it is me who is the most important with execution and we just try to discuss some shots on clay which could be better. Some positions and tactical moments. It is not something crazy but small details and that is how it works in tennis. So far it is working well.”
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Daniil Medvedev
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