Daniil Medvedev hopes to keep his ‘inner flame alive’ as he looks to put his career back on track at Rotterdam

Daniil Medvedev has lost agonizingly in a high-quality five-setter against teenager Learner Tien at the Australian Open.

Daniil Medvedev hopes to keep his ‘inner flame alive’ as he looks to put his career back on track at Rotterdam

Daniil Medvedev (Image via X)

Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev is optimistic about returning to full competitive form in the 2025 season despite a frustrating 2024 campaign. The former World No. 1 finished in the top 5 once again but had no silverware to show for it.

Medvedev’s best results in 2024 came at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, where he reached the finals. However, the Russian remains hopeful about returning to the winner’s circle and winning big titles again.

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When you arrive on the circuit as a young man of 20, the enthusiasm is enormous, you are not afraid of anything, you feel an uncontrollable ambition and an impressive competitive fire. Things change a lot at my age. I feel that I still have this inner flame, but you have to work to keep it alive, because as soon as it loses its intensity, things get complicated. There is a lot of competition.

Daniil Medvedev said in an interview (H/T: Punto de Break)

Medvedev has won only one Grand Slam title in his career, which came at the 2021 US Open. The Russian defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets. The Serb was aiming for a Calendar Year Grand Slam in that US Open final.

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Much of the 2024 season saw Medvedev falling short against players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. His only victory against either of them came in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, where he defeated Sinner in five sets.

Daniil Medvedev hopes to return to winning form at Rotterdam

Daniil Medvedev, the second seed, has had a mixed start to 2025. He has won one match and lost one so far. After a second-round exit at the first Grand Slam of the year, he now faces a tough test at the Rotterdam Open. His first opponent will be Stan Wawrinka, who received a wildcard entry.

Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev (Image via X)

Medvedev, who won the Rotterdam title in 2023, had a tough time in Melbourne. He needed five sets to defeat Kasidit Samrej in the first round. In the next round, he lost in five sets to American teenager Learner Tien.

If Medvedev advances, he could face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals. Tsitsipas, the fifth seed, had an early exit in Australia. The semi-final could bring a clash with either Alex de Minaur, the third seed, or Arthur Fils, the seventh seed.

De Minaur had a strong run in Rotterdam last year, finishing as runner-up to Jannik Sinner. This year, he will begin his campaign against experienced Belgian David Goffin.