Why Medvedev's Success Is A Team Effort
Daniil Medvedev’s presence in the final of ATP Tour events has become as reliable as his baseline game over the past two months. But as the third-seeded Russian looks for his sixth consecutive ATP Tour final at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, he will once again turn to his team in pursuit of another big week.
“My team is a big part of my success,” Medvedev said in his pre-tournament press conference on Sunday. “Of course it's me holding the racquet [and] playing on the tennis court. But if I would just travel without anybody by my side, I would never be where I am right now.”
Medvedev’s team includes a coach for his game and a coach for his mind. He’s been working on the court with Gilles Cervara since 2017 and began working last year with sports psychologist Francisca Dauzet. Their efforts have yielded a more disciplined player on all fronts. Medvedev admitted he’s more professional in his dedication to the sport and far less likely to get rattled in matches by outside factors he can't control.
”[Dauzet] has helped me a lot to be more focussed on the tennis court, on the goal to win the match than on other distractions,” Medvedev said. “Even when there are other distractions, I still try to have the main focus on the victory and that’s why I win so much.”
Although not every player speaks about their winning ways as matter-of-factly as Medvedev, he’s racked up more victories than anyone else on Tour this year. The Russian arrives in Shanghai with an impressive 54-17 record and has won 24 of his past 27 matches.
His current hot streak includes his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Western & Southern Open (d. Goffin), first ATP Tour crown on home soil in St. Petersburg (d. Coric) and maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open (l. to Nadal). Medvedev has padded his outstanding season with a title in Sofia (d. Fucsovics) and runner-up finishes in four other events, including his first Masters 1000 final at the Coupe Rogers (l. to Nadal). It comes as little surprise that he currently sits at a career-high No. 4 in the ATP Rankings.
”With the results I achieved… that changed a lot of things inside of me because I always said that experience is key,” Medvedev explained. “Before the US Open, I’d never been in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam. So being there, winning these matches, getting in the final and playing this five-set match against Rafa, for sure it stays inside your body, inside your mind. Hopefully for any other tournaments, I can just gain this confidence [and] experience, and be ready for every match I play because of it."
Medvedev’s recent form has also yielded him far more attention. The Russian admits to enjoying reading articles about himself, but it’s no longer possible for him to take in all of the worldwide coverage about his results. Medvedev is embracing his newfound stardom, but is aware that winning matches is what will keep him in the headlines.
”I actually do not take it as a positive or a negative because it's kind of normal. I just have to do my best to handle my obligations and then step up on the tennis court and try to win the match,” Medvedev said. "No matter if you drop [in the ATP Rankings] or if you go higher, there are going to be different situations in your life that you have to deal with and still be able to play good on the tennis court. Hopefully I’m just going to be better and better on the court.”