Daniil Medvedev Admits Modern Tennis Hurts His Game After Latest Roland Garros Collapse

Daniil Medvedev’s struggles at Roland Garros continued on Monday as the world No. 5 suffered another first‑round defeat, this time to Australian qualifier Adam Walton. Medvedev fell in five sets, 6‑2, 1‑6, 6‑1, 1‑6, 6‑4, extending his frustrating record in Paris, where he has now lost in the opening round seven times in ten appearances.

Speaking after the loss, Medvedev was candid about his struggles. He admitted that modern tennis conditions make it harder for him to impose his game. Medvedev said in his press conference:

My tennis depends on a couple of things that I cannot control. If the ball is not running, I don’t have the power to make it run like Jannik. He doesn’t care. If the ball is not running, he hits with maximum power anyway. If it runs, he adjusts a bit and doesn’t need to hit as hard. I hit hard, and if the ball doesn’t run, well, it doesn’t. I know I am in good shape, and I can also play well at Roland Garros, I really can do it, just that it’s harder for me, and the early rounds are usually more difficult, but I will always come here. Maybe I should consider playing a tournament before, something I usually don’t do before Grand Slams. When something doesn’t work, why not change it? That’s the only thing I will consider for next year.

The defeat is particularly striking given Medvedev’s stature as a former US Open champion and five‑time Grand Slam finalist. Walton, ranked outside the top 100, earned his first career win over a top‑10 player, while Medvedev was left searching for answers yet again on clay.

Medvedev added that while he believes he is in good shape and capable of playing well at Roland Garros, the early rounds are always more difficult for him. He even suggested that he might consider playing a warm‑up tournament before next year’s French Open, something he has traditionally avoided.

A pattern of inconsistency from Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev’s defeat to Walton fits into a broader pattern of inconsistency at the majors. He has now lost in the first round of four of his last five Grand Slams.

His best Roland Garros result remains a quarterfinal run in 2021, where he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Despite his success on hard courts, including the 2021 US Open title and finals at the Australian Open and US Open in 2023, clay continues to be his Achilles’ heel.

This season has already shown flashes of both brilliance and collapse. Medvedev was thrashed 6‑0, 6‑0 by Matteo Berrettini in Monte Carlo, then pushed Jannik Sinner to three sets in Rome, only to falter again in Paris.

Daniil Medvedev’s historical struggles at Roland Garros

Daniil Medvedev’s relationship with Roland Garros has always been complicated. He lost in the first round in each of his first four appearances from 2017 to 2020. His quarterfinal run in 2021 seemed like a breakthrough, but since then he has reverted to early exits.

By contrast, his rivals have thrived. Novak Djokovic has won two titles in Paris, Rafael Nadal has dominated with 14, and younger stars like Alcaraz and Sinner are already proving themselves on clay. Medvedev’s inability to join that conversation highlights the gap in his résumé.

Walton’s victory was celebrated as a career‑defining moment for the Australian, who had never beaten a top‑10 player before. For Medvedev, however, the loss reinforces the perception that he is vulnerable on clay and inconsistent at the majors.

Looking ahead, Medvedev suggested he may change his preparation by playing a lead‑up tournament before Roland Garros next year. He remains optimistic about Wimbledon, where his flat hitting and quick reactions are better suited to grass.

Also Read: (Video) Emma Raducanu Fights Tears in the Press Conference After Roland Garros Early Exit