Daniil Medvedev has already been denied titles by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner this season but he believes there is a silver lining to his losses.
The world No.4 comes into this week’s Miami Open as the defending champion with his two younger rivals seeded above of him. Should the draw go according to the rankings, he is projected to play 22-year-old Sinner in the semi-finals and then 20-year-old Alcaraz in the final if he wins. Medvedev might have the advantage out of the three when it comes to experience on the Tour but he is wary of the threat he faces.
In January at the Australian Open, he boasted a two-set lead over Sinner in the final before losing in five. More recently in Indian Wells, he was comprehensively beaten in the title match by Alcaraz who won six out of the last seven games played.
“I’m trying to catch them here and there,” Reuters quoted Medvedev as saying on Thursday in Miami. “But for me it’s always a good challenge when we have these young guys coming up, it makes you only better.
“The more I will play, the more young guys will come, and the more I’ll try to adapt my game and that’s what I’m trying to do right now.”
Medvedev has earned his right to be regarded as a key figure in men’s tennis. So far in his career, the Russian has won 20 ATP titles, held the No.1 ranking for 16 weeks and earned more than $39M in prize money. He is also one of only six players to have won six or more different ATP Masters 1000 titles since the category was introduced in 1990.
However, Sinner and Alcaraz’s popularity among fans appears to be greater. Something that doesn’t faze Medvedev who points out that fans are not just concerned about players winning. It is about how they conduct themselves on the court.
“I think it’s in every sport when you play defensively, people want to see the shots,” said Medvedev.
“As soon as Carlos came on the tour, he gained a lot of fans because he crushes the ball.
“For me, the result is the most important, it’s more important than to, let’s say, be beautiful on the court.
“When players can mix it up, it’s in my opinion even more beautiful.“
In their head-to-head, Medvedev has a positive record against Sinner (6-4) but not against Alcaraz (2-4).
Medvedev’s opening match in Miami will be against Hungary’s Márton Fucsovics.
