Medvedev comes clean: 'I don't like clay'
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[April 12, 2021]
(Reuters) - Daniil Medvedev has
risen to No. 2 in the world on the back of his incredible
consistency during the hardcourt swing but the Russian says he will
be outside his comfort zone when he takes to the clay for this
week's Monte Carlo Masters.
Medvedev replaced Rafa Nadal as No. 2 last month, becoming the first
player outside the Spaniard, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy
Murray to be ranked in the top two since Lleyton Hewitt in July
2005.
But all 10 of his career titles have come on hard courts and the
25-year-old has never managed to get past the first round of the
French Open on the red clay at Roland Garros in four attempts.
"Honestly, there's nothing I like on clay," Medvedev told reporters
with a wry smile on Sunday.
"There's always bad bounces, you're dirty after playing. I really
don't enjoy playing on clay."

Medvedev reached his second Grand Slam final at the Australian Open
in February on the back of a 20-match winning run that saw him pick
up trophies at the Paris Masters, ATP Finals and team-based ATP Cup.
His run included 12 straight wins over top-10 opponents and ended
with defeat to top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the final at Melbourne
Park.
The Russian, who lives in Monte Carlo, had one of his best results
on clay two years ago when he beat Djokovic on his way to the
semi-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 event but says it is difficult
to adapt his game to the surface.
[to top of second column] |
Daniil Medvedev of Russia
hits a forehand against Frances Tiafoe of the United States (not
pictured) in the fourth round in the Miami Open at Hard Rock
Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

"Mentally for me the most important is to know that some shots that
maybe would be winners or I would win the point on hard courts, it's
definitely not the case on clay courts," he said. "Working on
putting some more spin, some more trajectory.
"All of this is tough because for nine-10 months, I'm playing like
I'm used to, then I have to change it for two months, still keeping
the things that I do well also."
Medvedev has a bye in the first round in Monte Carlo and will play
the winner of the match between Serbian Filip Krajinovic and Nikoloz
Basilashvili of Georgia.
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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