Andy Roddick states what he actually thinks about Daniil Medvedev as he makes Lleyton Hewitt comparison

Follow us on Google Discover

Daniil Medvedev was knocked out in the group stages of the ATP Finals, winning just one match in the process.

Medvedev endured one of his tougher seasons in 2024, as he failed to win a title for the first time since 2017.

The Russian’s year got off to a flying start in Melbourne, as Medvedev reached the Australian Open final, eventually losing out to Jannik Sinner in five sets.

The good form looked to be continuing as Medvedev reached the final at Indian Wells soon after, falling to Carlos Alcaraz.

Medvedev struggled in the second part of the season however, as he failed to reach another final for the remainder of the 2024 season.

He had hoped to end his 2024 season with a title at the ATP Finals, but despite Medvedev’s win over Alex de Minaur, he was knocked out in the group stages.

A tough end to a disappointing season for the 28-year-old, but according to one tennis legend, maybe it shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise.

Andy Roddick compares ‘overachiever’ Daniil Medvedev to Lleyton Hewitt

Speaking on his podcast following the ATP Finals in Turin, Andy Roddick spoke about whether Medvedev has reached his potential on the ATP Tour, comparing him to another former world number one.

“I think he has maximised his skillset,” he said.

“Lleyton Hewitt comes to mind, he got under people’s skin, he did his thing, but respect was the base level.

“There was nobody who has gotten more.

“He never once entered the court with the biggest shot on the court and he finished number one in the world twice.

“Maybe the best competitor I have ever played with in my entire life is Lleyton Hewitt.”

Roddick and Hewitt played each other 14 times during their careers, with the head-to-head tied at seven a piece.

The 2003 US Open champion then credited Medvedev for his ability to overcome physical disadvantages on the ATP Tour.

“I think Medvedev at scale has overachieved,” he said.

“Is he the fastest guy? No. Does he hit it the hardest? No.

“But his ability to problem solve, master a ball flight.

“He doesn’t lose to people who aren’t more physically gifted than him.”

Finally, Roddick gave his thoughts on Medvedev’s ‘antics’, which the Russian was criticised for during the ATP Finals.

“I would give him the benefit of the doubt,” he said.

“I don’t view his antics as underachieving or as a barrier to more production or achievement.

“I think something else to do with it is that he is incredibly thoughtful or intelligent when given space away from his antics.

“There has never been a time where given an hour or a day, where he is not going to go ‘I am an idiot’.

“He is not irrational when you give him space from the moment, even if he is irrational when he is in the moment,” he said.

How do Daniil Medvedev and Lleyton Hewitt’s careers compare?

With Roddick making the comparison between Medvedev and Hewitt, it is interesting to see how they compare.

Both are former world number ones, and both have won at the Grand Slam level, but yet neither quite managed to remain at the top when the next big stars came along.

Hewitt’s time as world number one came to an end with the ascendance of Roddick and Roger Federer, whilst Medvedev was caught by the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz.

The pair have enjoyed brilliant careers in tennis, and there isn’t too much between them.

Hewitt’s second Grand Slam and ATP Finals title does likely give him the edge however, especially when considering the extra 64 weeks he’s spent as world number one.

There is of course still time for the Russian to catch up, however, as at just 28 years old he could yet add to his already impressive trophy cabinet in the coming years.

Medvedev will likely return to action at next year’s Australian Open which begins on January 12.