Daniil Medvedev admits he is a bit tired of constantly facing and losing to Jannik Sinner but acknowledges that he has accepted that he will have to find a solution for the Italian if he wants to achieve success on the biggest stage.
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On Thursday, the Russian tennis star saw his ATP Finals campaign come to an end after the world No. 1 handed him a 6-3 6-4 defeat in the Round Robin finale. Going into the match, the 28-year-old had been 1-1 in Turin and needed to beat the home favorite to qualify for the semifinal. But instead, he picked up his fifth loss to Sinner on the main level in 2024.
Between 2020 and early 2023, Medvedev absolutely dominated the Italian and won each of their first six meetings. But since then, the current world No. 1 has won eight of their last nine clashes. And not only that, one of the Russian's most painful defeats came earlier this year when he lost the Australian Open final from two sets up against the 23-year-old.
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"I would say it's both (tiring and challenging). I lost first round in Bercy, so in a way it doesn't count. First time I was not in his quarter or semi, he withdrew. Not one time against me (smiling). Look, he's barely losing this year. If you want to win a title, you will face him at one moment. It's not easy to beat him. A lot of people try. A lot of people fail. There is mostly one guy who does it a little bit more times than the others, and it's Carlos. Yeah, I mean, he's a very, very strong opponent," Medvedev said in Turin.
It should be mentioned that Sinner recently also destroyed the 2021 US Open champion 6-0 6-3 at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Turin. But since it was not official tournament, it doesn't count in their head-to-head.
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"As I said, a little bit after Saudi Arabia where he surprised me a lot, I didn't know he has even this level higher in him. He's maybe one of the best players I have faced. I faced the big four a little bit when they were a little bit older, and maybe the speed was not the same. So yeah, I'm going to try to work in pre-season. Maybe at one point he loses his confidence, starts to miss some balls. Otherwise, everyone - not only me - is in for a very, very tough years ahead of us because he's very young," the Russian added.
Medvedev asked if he feels 'sorry' or 'lucky' for Sinner
After winning two Grand Slams this year and getting to the world No. 1 position, the 23-year-old Italian was welcomed to Turin in a big way as there has been a lot of hype and his name and face can be seen on every corner. For some, it would may be a distraction or create too much pressure. But since Sinner concluded the group stage with a 3-0 record, it is probably safe to say that he hasn't been negatively impacted by the attention he has received.
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Asked if he felt sorry or lucky for the Italian, Medvedev found it a bit funny before explaining why there is zero reason to feel sorry for the 23-year-old.
"No, I think it's great. But I would wonder if he would live in Italy how it would be because he doesn't. It's a little bit easier (smiling). Yeah, I mean, I think he deserves it. Like everything: the contracts, advertisements, whatever. He's a good-looking No. 1 in the world, wins a lot of tournaments. Very young, which is always attractive. He's 23. He has maybe 13, 14 years ahead of him where he can play, play, win, win. So it's normal. I think he feels fine with it. So why should I be sorry for him..." the 28-year-old explained.
Also, Medvedev indicated that he will continue with his current team in 2025 but that he will try to do something different in the offseason and see if it will work in the future meetings against Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
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"In the team, no. But in the preparation, for sure we're going to try to I think really build something a little bit new. I see right now that it's not good enough, especially against guys like Jannik and Carlos. I'm not sure I will be able to become better, but I will try. I will try to become better in some parts. Again, I feel like if we talk purely tactic, I feel like I played fine. It's just execution;" Medvedev said.
