Jakarta (MidLand) – Daniil Medvedev said it is “easy” to forget his Australian Open final defeat to Jannik Sinner, unlike his reaction to losing to Rafael Nadal at the same stage two years ago.
Medvedev squandered a two-set lead in the 2022 and 2024 Australian Open finals, but while he is “still disappointed” with the result against Nadal, he is pleased with his performance against Sinner last month.
“To be honest, ‘forgetting’ is quite easy. As I said after the match, I thought it would be easy because I played a great tournament, I played a good final,” Medvedev said, broadcast by AFP on Monday.
The Russian world number four will participate in his first tournament since this week’s Australian Open in Dubai, where he is the defending champion.
Medvedev missed his title defense in Doha last week due to several physical problems – with his leg, adductor and shoulder – but feels ready to return to action after spending the last seven days training in Dubai.
Read also: Medvedev remains optimistic even though he failed to win the Australian Open
Medvedev, who will open his campaign against Alexander Shevchenko on Tuesday, has brought former French world number six Gilles Simon into his squad to partner with his old coach Gilles Cervara.
“I think of Gilles Simon for many reasons. He understands tennis well. You can see it. He was able to beat me and make me feel uncomfortable on the court,” said Medvedev, who lost three of his four matches with Simon before the match. The Frenchman has retired.
“Together the two Gilles will be able to discuss what he did to get me into trouble and what we can do in practice to overcome it. So far I like him a lot. We have a bit of the same mentality.”
Last year, Medvedev was on his way to an impressive 19-match winning streak, including three consecutive titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai, as well as performances runner up in Indian Wells.
An early exit at the 2023 Australian Open and a one-week drop outside the top 10 fueled his impressive run 12 months ago and he admitted he felt “completely different” coming to Dubai this time.
Medvedev said a series of below-par results at the Slams had helped him regain focus ahead of last year’s Wimbledon, but he feels lucky in the tournament greater having to sacrifice results in small tournaments in the last six months of 2023. .
“In other tournaments, except the Slams, I haven’t been able to find the spirit to win tournaments because you face the best players in the world,” the 28-year-old said.
“This is what I want to try to work on again this year, to have the ability to be able to give a thousand percent like I did in the Slams, but also be able to give enough encouragement in other tournaments. This is the first thing I will start from tomorrow.”
Medvedev will aim for his 21st ATP title in Dubai and will try to defend the trophy for the first time in his career. He has won 20 titles in 20 different tournaments.
Read also: Medvedev and Sinner prepare to engrave their names on the Australian Open trophy
Reporter: Arindra Mediadia
Publisher: Teguh Handoko
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