Daniil Medvedev was straight honest after showing frustration during an ATP Finals defeat as the world No. 4 repeated once again that he is extremely dissatisfied with the balls used on the Tour and also admitted that playing tennis right now isn't an enjoyable experience.
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On Sunday, the 28-year-old kicked off his sixth consecutive appearance at the prestigious season-ending tournament. Unfortunately for the Russian tennis star, it didn't go well or expected since Taylor Fritz upset him 6-4 6-3 in Turin.
Early in the match, it was a very tight contest without many chances on either side. But then in the 10th game - with the American leading 5-4 and Medvedev serving to stay in the first set - Medvedev hit two straight double faults and gave the world No. 6 a break point, which at the same time was a set point. And on the set point, the 2021 US Open champion blasted his third consecutive double fault and dropped the set.
After returning to his bench, a frustrated Russian hit his racket against the bench before hitting it against the court in Turin - that resulted in a code violation.
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Then midway through the second set, Medvedev lost his serve again in the sixth game and Fritz went 4-2 up. After being hit with another violation and losing a point, the former world No. 1 turned his racket the wrong way while awaiting the American's serve - which led to boos from the crowd. The 28-year-old responded by placing his racket the right way.
Medvedev rips the balls after losing his cool
After picking up a two-set defeat in his opening match at the ATP Finals, the Russian said was asked if he was surprised with hos Fritz managed to stay with him in the longer rallies.
Not at all. The balls make that everyone can do it now. So not at all surprised. I have this every day, day in, day out, since like two, three years. Every practice is a struggle. Every match is a struggle. I was holding for long time. Now I feel zero pleasure of being on the court. So no surprise at all about the match today," Medvedev said.
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Considering how the 2020 ATP Finals champion looked on the court and how he spoke following the match, a reporter remarked that he sounded like someone who was just waiting for the season to come to an end. The world No. 4 didn't deny it.
100%. It's the first time I say it. Usually, like, ATP Finals were not easy for me. The only time I won it was when the year started US Open, so it's a little bit different. But like I always fight. As I said, since a long time I fight with something that doesn't depend on myself. I'm a good fighter. I am still 4 in the world. Might be 5 if Taylor plays good here. Still pretty decent. I'm sure a lot of guys would like it. But now I'm tired to fight it. I'm tired to fight against something that doesn't depend on myself. I'll see how it goes. Today actually I had my chances. I'll have them the next matches. If it doesn't work out, I go on holiday. I'm happy," Medvedev admitted.
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Medvedev will try to make changes and adjustments in the offseason
The Russian complaining about the balls on the Tour has been something common for the past two years. But now, he seems to have reached his breaking point and he will try to figure out something to address it in the offseason.
"100%. That's the goal... For sure we will try something. We're not sure it's going to work. We will have a good pre-season, try to see what I can do better from my side. As I say, I feel like I'm in a big disadvantage, but I need to do something with it. For the moment, I couldn't find the exact way, like I can find the way through some matches like Shanghai, Beijing, even US Open. I can fight my way. I can try to find solutions during the match," Medvedev said when asked if he would try to change something for 2025.
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"I didn't find the exact solution of, okay, I come to the court and I know kind of how I want to play and what I want to do. As he said, literally everyone can stay in the rally with me right now. Every match I come, I know that basically I have to hit whatever. It doesn't matter. Tactics matter less. It's just about fighting and serving well. So I'm going to work a lot on pre-season to try to find some solutions, for sure."
