Daniil Medvedev Confident as Hard Court Season Begins \ TezzBuzz \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Daniil Medvedev is focused on making a strong push during the North American hard-court swing, especially at the U.S. Open. Despite early exits at this year’s Grand Slams, he remains confident. The 2021 U.S. Open champion believes fast courts favor his style.
For Daniil Medvedevthe North American hard-court swing is more than just another stretch of the tennis calendar — it’s a return to familiar ground, both physically and psychologically. After an uneven year filled with early exits at Grand Slams and a drop in ATP rankings, Medvedev is looking to recalibrate, regroup, and reignite his career on the surface where he’s achieved his greatest successes.
Speaking from the nation’s capital during the D.C. OpenMedvedev made clear that his focus is now locked on the U.S. Open, just weeks away. While he lost a tight quarterfinal match to Frenchman Corentin Moutet — a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 result that surprised many — the 29-year-old Russian doesn’t view it as a setback, but rather a checkpoint in a broader comeback arc.
Indeed, 2024 has been uncharacteristically bumpy for a player once considered the next big thing in men’s tennis. Medvedev’s early losses at all three Grand Slam events so far — second round in Australia, first-round exits in both Paris and London — mark a stark departure from his standard of consistency on tennis’s biggest stages. These results are not only rare but almost unprecedented in his professional timeline. He hadn’t lost back-to-back first-round matches at majors since 2017, when he was still finding his footing on tour.
And yet, unlike some players who might spiral after such setbacks, Medvedev remains grounded. “It does bother me,” he admitted, recalling his Wimbledon loss to Benjamin Bonzia match where he felt he played solid tennis but still walked away defeated. “You’re like, ‘Damn, I didn’t play that bad and I’m losing first round of a Grand Slam, second time in a row.’”
It’s a sentiment that resonates with elite athletes across sports: the frustration of feeling like you’re doing everything right — and still not getting the results. For Medvedev, the key to escaping that mental trap was a quick but restorative trip to Ibizawhere he unplugged from the tour and took a few days to relax, clear his mind, and reset emotionally.
That work, for Medvedev, means returning to the high-octane, flat-hitting game that made him a dominant force on hard courts. His 2021 triumph at the U.S. Open remains the highlight of his career — a title earned by stunning Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the final, thereby denying the Serbian legend a historic calendar-year Grand Slam. That performance solidified Medvedev’s status as a modern-day hard court titan.
Beyond that landmark win, Medvedev has reached two additional U.S. Open finals — one in 2019, where he battled Rafael Nadal in an electric five-set thriller, and again in 2023, where he fell to Djokovic in a rematch of their 2021 showdown.
In total, Medvedev has now played in six Grand Slam finalsall on hard courts, further highlighting how well the surface suits his game. He has also contested three Australian Open finalsfalling to Djokovic in 2021, Nadal in 2022, and rising star Jannik Sinner in 2024.
So what is it about hard courts that makes Medvedev such a formidable presence?
It’s a matter of geometry and timing. Medvedev’s low-to-the-ground shots, quick lateral movement, and ability to absorb and redirect pace are amplified on hard surfaces. He’s a rhythm player — when he’s in sync, he can hit through the court with deceptive ease, frustrating opponents with his range and unpredictability.
His current ranking — No. 14the lowest he’s held in more than six years — may not reflect his potential. But for Medvedev, it’s not about the number next to his name; it’s about reclaiming the rhythm that once made him world No. 1 and a fixture in Grand Slam finals.
Medvedev’s belief isn’t unfounded. The D.C. Open — despite his quarterfinal exit — showed flashes of his old form. After losing the opening set to Reilly Opelkaone of the tour’s biggest servers, he adjusted his strategy and reeled off four consecutive sets before falling to Moutet. Those victories weren’t just wins; they were small steps toward rediscovering competitive edge.
As he heads into key ATP 1000 tournaments in Toronto and CincinnatiMedvedev knows time is short but manageable. The U.S. Open is just weeks away, and it offers the perfect stage for a resurgence. The New York crowd knows him well — they’ve cheered and jeered him, depending on the year — but they always respect the show he brings.
His volatile but magnetic presence at Flushing Meadows has made him a fan favorite of sorts. From his villain-turned-hero arc in 2019 to his dominance in 2021, Medvedev has created a narrative that feels uniquely tied to the U.S. Open. This year, he hopes to add another chapter — one of redemption.
The pressure to return to form is amplified by the emergence of new challengers. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and even Holger Rune have been grabbing headlines in 2024. Meanwhile, veterans like Djokovic continue to defy age, remaining at the top of the rankings and in the hunt for every major title.
But Medvedev isn’t daunted by the competition. He’s been there, done that. The mental reset he embraced after Wimbledon — paired with a renewed focus on preparation and conditioning — has him feeling hopeful.
The confidence is there. The history is there. And with fast courts and a familiar surface underfoot, Daniil Medvedev just might be ready to make another hard-court run — starting in New York.
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