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“Hate Everything”: Daniil Medvedev Reveals Reason for Poor Performances on Clay Ahead of Mutua Madrid Open 2021
Current world number three Daniil Medvedev, who will be playing at the Mutua Madrid Open this year, had to withdraw from Monte-Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open as he tested positive for COVID-19.
The Russian reached a career-high ranking of number two after his consistent performances from the tail end of 2020 till the Australian Open this year.
Medvedev also won the title at ATP Marseille, which made him the first man since Lleyton Hewitt to reach the second position in ATP rankings. After a brief hiatus, Medvedev is all set to test his luck at the Madrid Masters.
Daniil Medvedev explains his aversion towards clay
In the few years that he played, the Russian had a decent run at the 2019 clay-court season, where he managed to reach the semi-finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters and the finals at the Barcelona Open. His confidence in the red dirt would have seen a rapid improvement if he managed to clinch a clay-court title in 2019.
Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference, Medvedev opened about his issues with clay and why it will never be his suitable surface.
“I think my shots, my movement, and my physical appearance doesn’t suit on clay because the first week I come on clay after playing hard courts for eight months, I hate everything”, Medvedev explained.
The Russian also mentioned how he gets used to the surface after pocketing enough matches and earning the required confidence.
“Then I get used to the surface, and it starts to be better. The big thing that motivates me is that I know I am capable of winning matches.”
Read more: Daniil Medvedev Reacts to Being the Favorite Player of John McEnroe at Australian Open 2021
“I know that I am capable”, feels Medvedev ahead of Mutua Madrid Open
For a player who likes to toil with opponents by keeping enough balls in play, it appears that Medvedev’s aversion towards clay has more to do with the mindset rather than gameplay.
Also, the fact that the Russian is yet to win a first-round match at the French Open has contributed a lot towards his hatred of the surface.
However, Medvedev quickly recalled the success he had in the 2019 clay-court season and hoped to find the confidence needed to beat the top players this season.
“Two years ago, I beat some really good guys, and so I know that I am capable. Just need to find this confidence on clay which is tougher for me than hard courts”, the Russian concluded.
The quality of play on clay courts has been increasing every year, with new clay courters looking to dominate the surface. Medvedev will look to put his big-match experience into good use on clay this year. But, he has to survive back-to-back matches to stand a chance of winning titles on clay.
The post “Hate Everything”: Daniil Medvedev Reveals Reason for Poor Performances on Clay Ahead of Mutua Madrid Open 2021 appeared first on EssentiallySports.
