Daniil Medvedev has lost several opening round matches in 2024 and he thinks he knows why.
The Russian has endured an indifferent season on the ATP Tour and he has yet to win a title.
The 28-year-old has lifted at least one trophy in every year since 2018, but that record is in danger of coming to an end.
After suffering a first round exit at the Paris Masters, the World number five made some interesting comments.
Why does Daniil Medvedev think he has lost some first round matches?
Daniil Medvedev has lost three first round matches in 2024. Before his Paris exit, Jiri Lehecka took him out of the Cincinnati Masters in the opening round, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat him in his first match at the Canadian Open.
After his most recent loss, Medvedev was asked about the court speed, which has been a major talking point at the Paris Masters.
But the Russian brought up a difficult point, as he lamented his early losses and claimed it has something to do with the tennis balls that are used.
“First rounds are always very tough for me, because now the matches I was winning before maybe 3-3, I cannot do it anymore,” he told reporters. “Every match I play I have to fight. I have to win 7-6 in the third. And sometimes I lose.
“Yeah, that’s a reality. It’s the most first-round exits for me since probably 2018, I would guess, or maybe even further, on hard courts. And there is a reason for this.”
He added: “From one side I don’t want to be the one who is crying when he’s losing first round, but I made semis in Beijing and quarters in Shanghai. I lost only to Alcaraz and Sinner. I was crying there also, even winning matches.
“As I say, some players will like this ball, so I get it. I’m crying because it disadvantages me. But if you take six balls out of the new balls out of the can, if you look closely and you bounce them, there are going to be six different balls. I don’t think that’s how it’s supposed to be.”
Who did Daniil Medvedev lose to at the Paris Masters?
In the opening round of the Paris Masters, Medvedev took on Alexei Popyrin for the fourth time in his career.
The Canadian Open champion dug deep and claimed a hard-fought win over Medvedev for the first time. He needed two hours and 30 minutes to complete a 6-4 2-6 7-6(4) win.
At one point in the encounter Medvedev threw his racket up in the air in frustration. He has just one more opportunity to claim a title this season – at the ATP FInals.
Post-match, a delighted Popyrin said: “I’ve heard about the atmosphere here, I hadn’t played in it before. They’re not lying, it’s a crazy atmosphere, the crowd is amazing.
“Last Masters of the year, I really wanted to do well. I really wanted to go deep, and this is a great step for me.”
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