Russia’s Daniil Medvedev says he is eager to stage a deep run at Wimbledon this year to prove that he still deserves to be ranked among the best in the world.
The world No.3 has already proven himself to be a big threat at the major tournaments by winning the 2021 US Open two years after reaching the final. He was also runner-up at the Australian Open in 2021 and 2022. However, more recently he has experienced disappointment in the big events with this him losing in the first round of Roland Garros.
“After the Australian Open 2022, I never really had a deep run in the slams. I was never even in quarters. I want to change it because I feel like I belong to the later stages of this tournament,” Medvedev said on Saturday.
“But you have to beat very tough opponents and you have to be at your best. That’s what I managed to do. That’s what I want to try to do this week.”
Medvedev is slowly starting to gain momentum on the grass. At Wimbledon, he sealed his place in the fourth round by beating Marton Fucsovics 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Earlier in the tournament he also defeated Arthur Fery and Adrian Mannarino in straight sets.
Wimbledon remains the only Grand Slam where he is yet to reach the last eight. Something Medvedev will change if he wins his next match. Overall, he has a win-loss record of 11-4 at the event but was banned from playing last year due to his country’s involvement in the war in Ukraine.
So after being forced to miss the event, is he more motivated to do well this year?
“Not really. I think I’m more motivated just because so far it’s been my worst slam,” he explained.
“Even though I wouldn’t say that I love grass, I feel like I can play well here. So it’s important for me to try to prove to myself and maybe everyone else that I can do it and can go far.”
Medvedev’s ultimate goal is to illustrate that he’s a solid all-round player, even on the clay. So far he has contested 33 ATP finals, winning 20 of those. Out of that tally, 28 have been on a hardcourt, three on grass and two on clay.
“By the results, it’s sure that on clay and the grass I play less well than on hard courts,” he admits. “But I want to try to change it and try to be in the finals of slams playing the best players, even on these surfaces. There’s another chance for me this year.”
Awaiting 27-year-old next at Wimbledon will be Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka.
