“He’s a player who made me a better player,” Jannik Sinner admits to Daniil Medvedev’s influence in his career as he edges out the Russian in Miami

While Jannik Sinner was trailing 0-6 against Medvedev up until last year's Miami Open, the deficit now stands at 5-6.

“He’s a player who made me a better player,” Jannik Sinner admits to Daniil Medvedev’s influence in his career as he edges out the Russian in Miami

Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev (Image via x)

Reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner has become a force to reckon with in the past few months. The 22-year-old clinched his first Grand Slam title at the start of the season and is on the course to win another title this year. The Italian beat Daniil Medvedev in the 2024 Miami Open semifinal to set up a final’s clash with Grigor Dimitrov.

This was Sinner’s fifth consecutive win over the Russian ace. While Medvedev led the head-to-head record 6-0 between the two players till the Miami Open final last year, the deficit is now 6-5. Sinner has not given the World No. 4 any chance whenever they have met since the 2023 Miami Open final.

YouTube video

The winning streak over Daniil Medvedev that started for Sinner with the Beijing Final has continued and the Italian was asked about what has changed for him. Sinner was asked about how he turned the tide in his favor against Medvedev. The 22-year-old had an interesting response ready as he claimed that the Russian has helped him become a better player.

FS Video
It's going to be interesting to see now in the future what's happening, what's he's gonna change, where I have to be very clear with my mind. But for sure he's a player who made me a better player, because, you know, I had to, for example in Beijing, I started to serve and volley. Then in Vienna, I tried to serve and volley but it was not working again.
Jannik Sinner started explaining.

The Italian then said that playing against players like Medvedev helps one grow and the same happened with him.

So, here I had to be very careful on couple of things, but, you know, these kind of players, they make you a better player. It sometimes doesn't really matter the head-to-head, but it matters how you understand from your losses and trying to learn. That's what I have been trying in the last years not only with him but also with other opponents, and this makes me, yeah, a better player.
The Italian ace stated.

Jannik Sinner in his own element!

While Jannik Sinner has credited his opponents for his maturity as a player, the Italian has worked hard to get to where he is now. Sinner was struggling with his consistency till the last season. Injuries also pegged the Italian down in many instances.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (via Imago)

However, the 22-year-old not only worked on his fitness but also made a few changes here and there in his gameplay. Sinner also worked on his temperament and reaped rewards for it. After a fourth-round exit at the 2023 US Open, Sinner turned things around.

He won the titles in Beijing and Vienna. The Italian also helped his national team win the Davis Cup Finals as he beat Novak Djokovic in the semifinal. But things changed after the off-season and when Sinner directly played at the 2024 Australian Open. He won his maiden Grand Slam title and has been on a ride since then.

In case you missed!