Daniil Medvedev Confident as Hard Court Season Begins

Daniil Medvedev Confident as Hard Court Season Begins \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Daniil Medvedev is focused on making a strong push during the North American hard-court swing, especially at the U.S. Open. Despite early exits at this year’s Grand Slams, he remains confident. The 2021 U.S. Open champion believes fast courts favor his style.

Quick Looks

• Medvedev says hard courts are his best surface
• Early Grand Slam exits in 2024 fuel motivation
• Lost quarterfinal at D.C. Open to Corentin Moutet
• Enjoyed brief Ibiza vacation to reset mentally
• Once ranked No. 1, now at lowest rank since 2018
• Credits fast court speed for boosting performance
• Past U.S. Open champ, 3-time finalist on NY hard courts
• Hoping to regain rhythm and confidence before Flushing Meadows
• Notable Grand Slam record: six finals, all on hard courts
• Expects results and rankings to return with hard work

Deep Look

For Daniil Medvedev, the North American hard-court swing is more than just another stretch of the tennis calendar — it’s a return to familiar ground, both physically and psychologically. After an uneven year filled with early exits at Grand Slams and a drop in ATP rankings, Medvedev is looking to recalibrate, regroup, and reignite his career on the surface where he’s achieved his greatest successes.

Speaking from the nation’s capital during the D.C. Open, Medvedev made clear that his focus is now locked on the U.S. Open, just weeks away. While he lost a tight quarterfinal match to Frenchman Corentin Moutet — a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 result that surprised many — the 29-year-old Russian doesn’t view it as a setback, but rather a checkpoint in a broader comeback arc.

“Usually, this is the most important part of the season for me,” Medvedev said. “And this year, it’s really important, because I didn’t have the best year.”

Indeed, 2024 has been uncharacteristically bumpy for a player once considered the next big thing in men’s tennis. Medvedev’s early losses at all three Grand Slam events so far — second round in Australia, first-round exits in both Paris and London — mark a stark departure from his standard of consistency on tennis’s biggest stages. These results are not only rare but almost unprecedented in his professional timeline. He hadn’t lost back-to-back first-round matches at majors since 2017, when he was still finding his footing on tour.

And yet, unlike some players who might spiral after such setbacks, Medvedev remains grounded. “It does bother me,” he admitted, recalling his Wimbledon loss to Benjamin Bonzi, a match where he felt he played solid tennis but still walked away defeated. “You’re like, ‘Damn, I didn’t play that bad and I’m losing first round of a Grand Slam, second time in a row.’”

It’s a sentiment that resonates with elite athletes across sports: the frustration of feeling like you’re doing everything right — and still not getting the results. For Medvedev, the key to escaping that mental trap was a quick but restorative trip to Ibiza, where he unplugged from the tour and took a few days to relax, clear his mind, and reset emotionally.

“I went to the beach. I relaxed a bit. Had some fun,” he said. “But then it was time to get back to work.”

That work, for Medvedev, means returning to the high-octane, flat-hitting game that made him a dominant force on hard courts. His 2021 triumph at the U.S. Open remains the highlight of his career — a title earned by stunning Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the final, thereby denying the Serbian legend a historic calendar-year Grand Slam. That performance solidified Medvedev’s status as a modern-day hard court titan.

Beyond that landmark win, Medvedev has reached two additional U.S. Open finals — one in 2019, where he battled Rafael Nadal in an electric five-set thriller, and again in 2023, where he fell to Djokovic in a rematch of their 2021 showdown.

In total, Medvedev has now played in six Grand Slam finals, all on hard courts, further highlighting how well the surface suits his game. He has also contested three Australian Open finals, falling to Djokovic in 2021, Nadal in 2022, and rising star Jannik Sinner in 2024.

So what is it about hard courts that makes Medvedev such a formidable presence?

“A lot of different things,” he explained. “My ball goes through the air the most. My serve goes faster. And this year, the courts seem pretty fast. On the ATP lately, the courts seem to only get slower and slower. But here it’s super fast. I like the way it plays.”

It’s a matter of geometry and timing. Medvedev’s low-to-the-ground shots, quick lateral movement, and ability to absorb and redirect pace are amplified on hard surfaces. He’s a rhythm player — when he’s in sync, he can hit through the court with deceptive ease, frustrating opponents with his range and unpredictability.

His current ranking — No. 14, the lowest he’s held in more than six years — may not reflect his potential. But for Medvedev, it’s not about the number next to his name; it’s about reclaiming the rhythm that once made him world No. 1 and a fixture in Grand Slam finals.

“It’s one thing to like the way it plays and it’s another thing to win. But I do feel like I can do big things,” he said.

Medvedev’s belief isn’t unfounded. The D.C. Open — despite his quarterfinal exit — showed flashes of his old form. After losing the opening set to Reilly Opelka, one of the tour’s biggest servers, he adjusted his strategy and reeled off four consecutive sets before falling to Moutet. Those victories weren’t just wins; they were small steps toward rediscovering competitive edge.

As he heads into key ATP 1000 tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati, Medvedev knows time is short but manageable. The U.S. Open is just weeks away, and it offers the perfect stage for a resurgence. The New York crowd knows him well — they’ve cheered and jeered him, depending on the year — but they always respect the show he brings.

His volatile but magnetic presence at Flushing Meadows has made him a fan favorite of sorts. From his villain-turned-hero arc in 2019 to his dominance in 2021, Medvedev has created a narrative that feels uniquely tied to the U.S. Open. This year, he hopes to add another chapter — one of redemption.

The pressure to return to form is amplified by the emergence of new challengers. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and even Holger Rune have been grabbing headlines in 2024. Meanwhile, veterans like Djokovic continue to defy age, remaining at the top of the rankings and in the hunt for every major title.

But Medvedev isn’t daunted by the competition. He’s been there, done that. The mental reset he embraced after Wimbledon — paired with a renewed focus on preparation and conditioning — has him feeling hopeful.

“I know that when I come back to this level, I can beat anyone,” he said. “So that’s where the optimism is coming from. Just work hard and try to find back this rhythm, this level, and then results can come and rankings can come.”

The confidence is there. The history is there. And with fast courts and a familiar surface underfoot, Daniil Medvedev just might be ready to make another hard-court run — starting in New York.

More on Sports

Daniil Medvedev Confident Daniil Medvedev Confident Daniil Medvedev Confident