ATP Masters Madrid: Daniil Medvedev and his difficult relationship with clay court tennis
After surviving the corona infection,Daniil Medvedev is returning to the international tennis stage at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid. The anticipation of the event in the Caja Magica is limited among the Russians.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: May 03, 2021, 11:37 pm
Andrey Rublev had given his love for clay court tennis once again these days, but it looks completely different with his compatriot Daniil Medvedev. Even in the run-up to the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Monte Carlo, the 25-year-old had made no secret of his rejection of the game on ashes.
"There's nothing I like about this rubber. The ball bounces differently, you're very dirty after the games. I really don't enjoy playing like that," said the Russian a few weeks ago. Due to a corona infection, nothing came of a start in the principality anyway, and Medvedev was also unable to play in Barcelona afterwards.
Medvedev is fully fit again
Although he felt ill for a short time, he is now fit enough for competitive tennis again, said the world number three before the tournament in Madrid. In his difficult relationship with the game on ashes, however, nothing changed during the break due to illness, said Medvedev.
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"I don't think that's going to change. It's just playing on clay. I think my punches, movements, and physical demeanor don't match Ashes. For the first week on clay, I hated everything around me "I just hate being on the court. It's very rare for me," said the man from Moscow.
No victory in Madrid yet
He has therefore reduced the demands for the upcoming tournaments on clay: "The goal in Rome, Roland Garros and Madrid is to win at least one match in each of the three events." At the same time, however, he intends to decide for himself at every event.
The draw in Madrid meant it with Medvedev, who has not yet won a victory in the Spanish capital, at least not badly. The Russian will open his campaign against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Pierre-Hugues Herbert. And then there was a little challenge: "If I show good tennis, I can win some great matches."
Here the single tableau in Madrid
madridmap