Daniil Medvedev has lost three of their last four and not in the best mood preparing for the first “Masters” this year. “The Soviet sports” examined the situation in which the fifth racket of the world.
WHAT HAPPENED?
After Wimbledon-2019 Daniil Medvedev just a couple of months turned from just a promising player in the tennis elite. His series of six finals in a row, including three titles (two “Masters”) and pyatisetovy Thriller in the decisive meeting in new York with Rafael Nadal forced to see Daniel star. Supernova, with the prefix “super”. But at the same time – Medvedev move to the beginning of the virtual queues of young talents, who must shortly take the first “Grand slam”. However, the end of the season, the Russian is slightly smeared – first, an unexpected misfire in Paris, where he lost to jérémy Chardy (65-th racket of the world the day of the match), and then in London, the Final championship where Daniel lost all three matches in the group. There he for the first time in his career failed to Stefanos Ticipation and gave the victory to Nadal, although he led 5:1 in the third set. The loss to Alexander Zverev have a special value had no, but also was very disappointing. It was obvious that Medvedev is tired – both physically and psychologically. And strength for the final tournament he left. So the tragedy of this series of defeats to do no hurry. There, Novak Djokovic is into his first Final in 2007, they didn’t take the group stage any victory, and in January, relaxing and tuning in to the new season, won the Australian Open. Suddenly Daniel is waiting for something like this?
And at first I thought it is! After resting in the offseason, and well after training, Medvedev shock played the first tournament in Australia – freshly baked Cup ATP. The result – four victories, three of which – over opponents from top-20 ranking (Fabio Fonini, American John Isner, Argentinian Diego Schwartzman) and only one defeat in an incredible blockbuster with Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. In a match that will certainly be included in the top best of the season. The Serb, however, proved a little more successful. But we all understand – Medvedev is in great shape. And make some noise at the Australian Open!
It did not happen. In the fourth round in Melbourne Daniel in five sets has not coped with Stan Wawrinka. And Yes, the Swiss showed incredible tennis that day, but the feeling that Medvedev came undone at the very end that he himself gave the initiative, that is not used to its full potential, left.
And then there was the return to Europe speech in Rotterdam and Marseille and… sudden failure. In the Netherlands, Daniel flew, not dealing with the canadian basecom by Pospisil. France was the target of the effort was engineered (although the boy gave the first set 1:6), but after the limp lost to Gilles Simon – led to a break 3:1, and lost 4:6, 0:6 (for the eighth time in his career “draining” party with “the wheel”). However, none of the recent opponents of the Russian was not even in the top 50 (and Pospisil and in the top 100). So what is the reason for such results?
WHAT IS THE REASON?
“Medvedev will not repeat the results of last summer. And, I think, on clay, too, points will not work. Therefore, the high season – top 15 (I hope I’m wrong)” – recently wrote on Twitter Yevgeny Kafelnikov. And such fears are not unfounded.
“The second year syndrome” – a common phenomenon in tennis. When, after a successful breakthrough season, the player slowing down and taking a step back. You can fall slightly as Karen Khachanov (from 11 th position to 17th last year). You can literally be shut down as Darya Kasatkina (of the top 10 at the end of the top 100). The reasons are different, but overall similar. First, opponents differently on you tune. Secondly, they study and analyze your game, and some “chips”, which they previously set to a standstill, helping to achieve victory, is not working. Thirdly, it increases the burden of expectations, both from fans and from himself, and that’s much more pressure, and not everyone is able to cope with it. Fourth, someone can cover “star disease”.
I hope the latter is not the case of Medvedev. But everything else is the place to be. Unusual, unlike anything tennis Daniel took it all apart last year. The same pospíšil almost picked up the keys to the victory over the Russians even at the “Masters” in Shanghai, where Vasek he imposed a serious struggle. In Rotterdam canadian just brought to an end what did not work in China. About the ultimate motivation and attitude to the fifth racket of the world to write is redundant.
– Medvedev is a talented guy. But it is important to remember that every year we have to upgrade ourselves, – said Marat Safin. – Otherwise, everything will quickly start to read your game. If Daniel will continue to “tune” his tennis, he will be fine. But if you just continue to play like last year, nothing good will come of it.
As for the burden of expectation, it seems to be the main problem preventing the Russians.
If lost in the meeting with Medvedev Wawrinka stood tall and not particularly upset, paying tribute to tennis Stan in Rotterdam and especially in Marseille, we suddenly saw still nervous Daniel, who has the racket on court, arguing with judges and throws hysterical gestures towards his own team. It’s one thing to see something like that in a tense duel with Nadal, as it was in London. Another in the match with 18-year-old Yannick the effort was engineered, which, though mega-talented, but while it is no match for Medvedev. During the series finals Daniel took his mind. His unwavering confidence that in any situation you will find the path to success. Yes, it could piss off the floor (sometimes on purpose) a short emotional breakdown, but quickly took itself in hands. And to defraud the opponent. Any (well, except for Nadal). Now that there is no certainty, and the current Medvedev is rather similar to that of Daniel, who threw the coin under jury rig at Wimbledon-2017, alluding to the “venality” of the arbitrator. And it’s those emotions that only hinder him, do not give to bring the situation under control. Eventually, such antics got even a personal trainer – Gilles servers advertise demonstratively left the podium during the match in Marseille. And if in the case of Medvedev’s effort was engineered slightly sobered, against Simon’s not worked.
– When I see this attitude on his part when he is going through because each point, it infuriates me. Especially when Dan doesn’t want to benefit from our support. And I said to myself – someone should respond. It was him or me. In the end, this “someone” was me. I just couldn’t let him continue so to behave. Because we know that it will lead to failure, – said the Frenchman.
– After what I showed on the court, I would understand if my box has gone all – said Daniel. – Gilles did the right thing.
In fact, these emotions – the main problem with Medvedev. He has not forgotten how to play (which we saw in Australia and in that match with Djokovic). But the lack of discipline and concentration prevents Daniel to add gloss to your game. To make it that little bit of magic that we saw last summer in the form of fantastic jokes and unrealistic bumps in its execution. If the Russians calm down, return confidence and win a few important victories, he will easily overcome this crisis.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Two bad tournament is not a reason to panic and global insights. Moreover, the tournaments were from the optional – on the same Marseille Medvedev arrived only because he lives nearby, in Monaco. So tennis players from the top 5 does not often appear at the ATP tour 250… Much more important than the results on “Masters”, the nearest of which will take place soon – at Indian wells (starts on March 12). Then it will be different “masters” in Miami and start the clay season. Then Medvedev will have to defend the first major points – for the final of Barcelona and the semifinals of Monte Carlo. Until that time, the results he could hardly think.
A break of two weeks (until Indian wells Daniel will not play) – enough time to calm down, to draw conclusions from defeats, to discuss the situation with the coach and to make adjustments to the game (and the behavior on the court). Bad series happen at all, including the “big 3”. It is impossible after two defeats to record athletes in a downed pilots. So let’s be patient and see what will show Medvedev in America.
– My personal opinion – Dan will continue to evolve, – said Safin. – The current level is not the limit for him. A little experience and luck, and he could become the first in the world… after some time, of course. And bad moments everyone has. Unbeaten victories do not happen.
