“I believe I can win any tournament,” Daniil Medvedev offers a brutal self criticism of his performance on clay, but remains confident on his abilities

Daniil Medvedev kicked off his Monte-Carlo Masters campaign with a sensational win over Gael Monfils.

“I believe I can win any tournament,” Daniil Medvedev offers a brutal self criticism of his performance on clay, but remains confident on his abilities

Daniil Medvedev (via Imago)

Daniil Medvedev has kicked off the clay season on a positive note as he defeated Gael Monfils in the first round of the ongoing Monte Carlo Masters pretty convincingly. 

The Russian won the match 6-2, 6-4, and will now face Karen Khachanov in the round of 16 of the tournament. Medvedev is 5-1 up against the Russian-American player in head-to-head matches. 

YouTube video

After the match was over, the World No. 4 even reflected on his performance on clay courts in general. As per the tennis professional himself, unlike hard courts, his performance on clay courts is inconsistent because clay courts are often tricky as there are more breaks and bounces.

FS Video
Now, clay is different from hard courts, because on hard courts I know I will, 90% of cases, will win. But in clay, not. I need to work hard on each point. If I'm up 40-Love on hard courts on my serve, I might only lose two of those serve games in the year, which is not true on clay.
Medvedev said. (Source: Monte-Carlo Presser)

That’s not all; he further highlighted that sometimes in the second serve, it is pretty difficult to return, and that’s exactly why he doesn’t enjoy playing on clay courts as much as hard ones. 

There are more breaks, bad bounces. Sometimes even the second serve you can't return. So I don't like clay as much as hard courts because of all that, but I'm in a moment when I accept this. I try to find solutions, and I'm very happy in the zone I'm in right now.
He further added.

Daniil Medvedev has been in pretty great form lately. He has already been the runner-up at the Australian Open and the Indian Wells this season. The Russian will hope to keep up the same level of performance for the rest of the 2024 season as well. 

Daniil Medvedev says that he is more confident on clay after last season

Daniil Medvedev’s run in the clay season last year was fairly successful. He won the Italian Open by defeating Holger Rune in the final last season.

Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev (Via Imago)

Before that, he had reached the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters. Overall though, Daniil Medvedev is of the opinion that he is now confident about winning any tournament on clay after winning the Rome Open last season. 

Last season mainly showed me that I can win any tournament on clay, because when you win Rome and you go to the quarters in the French, playing five sets, I believe I can win any tournament. There's no difference between the French or Rome.
Medvedev said (Source: Monte-Carlo Presser)

Although the French Open is a Grand Slam, according to Daniil Medvedev, winning tournaments like the Rome Open majorly adds to the confidence of playing on clay.

In case you missed it: