Daniil Medvedev shares what is the ‘toughest challenge’ in the history of ATP tennis

Daniil Medvedev was last seen in action at the Monte Carlo Masters where Alex de Minaur beat him in the third round.

Daniil Medvedev shares what is the ‘toughest challenge’ in the history of ATP tennis

Daniil Medvedev (Image via X/Meddy Family)

What is the toughest challenge on the ATP tour? The whole tennis world will agree that facing Rafael Nadal on clay is probably the hardest thing to do.

Those who have faced him know how brutal he was on the red dirt. Players find it difficult to win titles on clay but Nadal, the King of Clay took home a record 63 trophies on his favorite surface. Those titles also include a record 14 French Open trophies.

YouTube video

But clay is Daniil Medvedev‘s least favorite surface. In other words, he hates playing on it. He kickstarted his campaign on the clay swing at the Monte Carlo Masters and with difficulties he progressed to the third round where Alex de Minaur breezed past him to reach the next round.

Nadal, on the other hand, took home 11 Monte Carlo Masters titles, including eight consecutive ones between 2005 and 2012. He came close to his ninth consecutive title in 2013 but his winning streak was broken by Novak Djokovic.

Rafa on clay is the toughest challenge I think probably in the history of sports, to be honest. You know we dream of winning one Masters 1000 title, maybe two or three somewhere in the same place. But, 11 sounds amazing, some people don’t have 11 years of a tennis career or 11 years of playing in the same place.

Daniil Medvedev said (via Monte Carlo Masters’ YouTube channel)

The Russian met the Spaniard six times on the tour and could clinch just one victory (in the semifinal of the 2020 ATP Finals). They have never faced each other on clay or grass.

Medvedev last a lifted a title at the Italian Open in 2023. Because of his inconsitent season, the former World No.1 dropped to the ninth position in the rankings table. He has so far played eight tournaments this season, failing to reach the final in any of the events.

Carlos Alcaraz becomes the first Spaniard since Rafael Nadal to win the Monte Carlo Masters

Rafael Nadal last lifted the Monte Carlo Masters in 2018. Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Lorenzo Musetti in the final, became the first Spaniard since the 22-time Grand Slam champion to take home the title in The Principality. Following the match, Alcaraz admitted that Nadal’s record in the tournament is impossible for him to reach.

Carlos Alcaraz Monte Carlo Masters 2025
Carlos Alcaraz (via Instagram/ATP)

I wish to win it more than once. Thinking about 11 is impossible, honestly. I have been talking with my team several times to [discuss] what Rafa did on clay.

Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference

It was Alcaraz’s second title of the season following the Rotterdam Open, and his first Masters 1000 in 13 months (he won Indian Wells last year). The win helped Alcaraz become the World No.2, removing Alexander Zverev from the position. For Musetti, the final was his first in the Masters 1000 tournament and he was bidding to become the third Italian to take home a title in this category following Jannik Sinner and Fabio Fognini, both of who have captured three and one titles, respectively.

Nadal, after persistent struggles with injuries, hung up his racket at the 2024 Davis Cup. Alcaraz has now established himself as one of the best clay-court players, winning nine titles, including the French Open. Last year at Roland Garros, the 21-year-old overcame Zverev in five sets to win his fourth Grand Slam title.

He will next participate at the Barcelona Open, which Nadal has won a record 12 times. Alcaraz will kickstart his campaign against Ethan Quinn on Tuesday (April 15). He lifted the title twice (in 2022 and 2023) but skipped it last year due to an injury.