The coach of Grigor Dimitrov has suggested ways in which Daniil Medvedev can improve going into the 2025 season.
The Russian is perilously close to going through an entire campaign without winning a title since 2017.
Medvedev has not even progressed to a final since the Indian Wells Masters in March, where he was beaten by Carlos Alcaraz.
The 28-year-old has somewhat fallen below his reputation of being consistent with his results in 2024, and with the likes of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner getting stronger, he has it all to do to get back on track next season.
What has Daniil Medvedev been advised to improve on heading into 2025?
One of the reasons for Medvedev’s struggles in 2024 has been his failure to defeat Alcaraz and Sinner.
Medvedev has faced the Italian five times this season, and claimed just one victory, which came at Wimbledon. Alcaraz has won each of his meetings with Medvedev this year, and has won their last four dating back to 2023.
During Sky Sports’ broadcast of the ATP Finals, Jamie Delgado, Grigor Dimitrov’s coach, explains why Medvedev fell below his usual standards in 2024 and how he can improve heading into next season.
“I think those guys in particular – Jannik and Carlos – have just broken the rhythm of the match against him. They are serving and volleying against him, using drop shots, playing some slower balls and faster balls,” Delgado said.
“They are playing a game he doesn’t [like]. He wants to stay at the baseline with rallies all the time and they are taking that away from him.
“His return position is one thing I have seen him testing out a bit in some matches, moving a bit further up the court and trying to give those guys a bit less time.
“I think coming to the net a bit would help. He’s not as good as someone like Carlos at the net, but it’s somewhere he could improve. But I think his return position and his baseline court position would be the biggest thing [he could improve] for me.”
Can Daniil Medvedev still end 2024 with a title?
Despite failing to win a title this year and Sinner and Alcaraz being two of the main reasons why, Medvedev can still finish 2024 with a championship trophy to his name.
He kept his hopes of winning the ATP Finals alive with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-4 victory over Alex de Minaur. The World number four mentally checked out of his loss to Taylor Fritz on Sunday.
At one point he lost his cool as he repeatedly threw his racket in the air and even pretended to return serve with his racket facing the wrong way.
But against De Minaur he was completely focused on the task at hand, and adopted an aggressive style of play, striking 25 winners and just 10 unforced errors.
He will need to defeat his on-court nemesis Sinner to have a chance of progressing, but he certainly has a chance to do so if he performs in the same manner as against the Australian.
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