Daniil Medvedev gives insightful example of Alexander Zverev to explain the evolution in tennis in the past decade
Daniil Medvedev is currently playing in the Madrid Open, where he will face Brandon Nakashima in the fourth round.
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Daniil Medvedev (image via X)
Daniil Medvedev, who is playing in the Madrid Open for the second clay-court Masters 1000 of the season, defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo in straight sets in the third round after receiving a walkover from Laslo Djere in the previous round. Speaking at the press conference after the match, the Russian made an interesting remark about the evolution of tennis.
Medvedev commented that the sport has evolved to a point where even a very tall, not-so-fast player like Reilly Opelka can play longer rallies and defend well. He also gave the example of Alexander Zverev, adding that 10 years ago, a tall and big server might have been mainly serve-and-volley based. However, Zverev plays mostly from the baseline, engaging in long rallies.
Everyone can defend now using their strengths. Reilly Opelka runs worse than Alcaraz and perhaps even than myself, but he defends well. He can run, have rallies… 10 years ago, players like Zverev would probably have been serve-and-volley based. The game evolves, as do other sports like football, where defenders 40 years ago maybe only stayed in position, whereas now they run the full 90 minutes from one side of the field to the other.
Daniil Medvedev (H/T: Punto de Break)
He also spoke briefly about the evolution of football. In football, defenders traditionally used to stand in position and defend close to their goal. Now, defenders are expected to run a lot, cover wide areas, and even help attack. Modern defenders run around 9km a game, assist goals, and sometimes score.
Dannil Medvedev on the importance of drop shots
During the press conference, Daniil Medvedev also touched upon the importance of drop shots. Although Medvedev uses it sometimes, he acknowledged that he’s not the best at it. He reckoned that Carlos Alcaraz or Lorenzo Musetti execute drop shots that seem impossible to return.
I think drop shots are crucial in the game; I use them at times, and even though I’m not the best at them, I execute them. It’s something that comes naturally, knowing how to do them well or not, for instance, Alcaraz or Musetti execute drop shots that seem impossible to return. That’s when they are most dangerous because you don’t expect them, and yet they execute them perfectly.
Daniil Medvedev added
Alcaraz perhaps uses the drop shot successfully in nearly every match he plays. Other tennis players have also stressed the importance of this shot. Iga Swiatek has expressed that she always wanted to do the drop shot but admits that her technique isn’t perfect yet. Joao Fonseca had also reiterated that the drop shot is a very effective shot on clay. Medvedev believes that although drop shots are a great strategic move, one shouldn’t overuse them.
Daniil Medvedev will face Brandon Nakashima in the next round of the Madrid Open
Daniil Medvedev will lock horns with Brandon Nakashima in the fourth round of the Madrid Open. This will mark their second encounter on the tour. They last met at the second round of the 2023 Indian Wells, which Medvedev had won in straight sets. Prior to setting up the clash with the 2022 US Open champion, Nakashima defeated Flavio Cobolli 7-5, 6-3. Akin to Medvedev, Nakashima, the winner of one ATP title, too hasn’t yet lifted a trophy this year.
The 29-year-old is bidding to reach the semifinals of all nine Masters 1000 tournaments. Medvedev has progressed to the fourth round of the event in the Spanish capital for a fourth consecutive year (he skipped in 2022). If he wins the Madrid Open, it will be his seventh trophy of the Masters 1000 series and his second on clay.
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