Daniil Medvedev’s season finished on a much higher note this year than last.
The former World No. 1 left Turin 12 months ago with nothing to show except three heart-breaking third-set tie-break losses from the Nitto ATP Finals. This time around he returned to the semi-finals after earning a 2-1 group record to cap an impressive year that yielded 66 match wins and a record five titles.
“I’m happy. Was a great season,” said Medvedev, who will finish at No. 3 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. “Some ups, some downs for sure. Big up was in the beginning of the season. I was proud of myself because before Rotterdam I dropped out of the Top 10… I was feeling terrible, awful. I couldn’t put the ball in the court.
“After [that] everything went better. Titles, finals, stuff like this. Generally, I’m happy with what I achieved this season. I’m going to try to learn from it and try to go for more in the next season because Sinner, Alcaraz, Novak, they play only better and better. If you want to try to stay on the top, you have to improve non-stop.”
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Medvedev got hot early in the season, running up a 19-match winning streak with titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai and a run to the final in Indian Wells. He followed with his fifth ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami and during the clay swing surprised with a title in Rome.
Medvedev rallied from dropping the first set Saturday against Sinner but ultimately was unable to stop the momentum of the Italian, who has won 17 of his past 18 matches and who is riding a wave of vociferous home support at the Pala Alpitour.
“I’m very impressed, to be honest,” Medvedev said of Sinner’s level. “He doesn’t miss much, he can run well. If you give him easy ball, you feel like he moves you over the court. He can volley well. Serve has improved a lot.
“I generally believe if he plays like this, like he played last weeks, all the time, he’s going to have Slams, No. 1. Then it comes to how many weeks, how many Slams, stuff like this. Sometimes this way ends. The question is how often is he going to ride it. When he’s not on the wave, how good he plays. That’s the way tennis is.
“But at the moment he is very, very good, and there’s not much more to add.”
Medvedev is now looking for a relaxing beach on which to take time out and hinted that he may have a lighter January schedule than normal.
“To be honest, I haven’t been on like off-season vacation as some players. One time I had Davis Cup. Last year we had a small baby, so… I was straightaway back to the duties.
“This year we’re going to go with my wife to the islands. First time in maybe four, five years. She doesn’t like it too much there because there is not much to do. But for me, that’s perfect after a hectic season. I love it (smiling).
“I’m probably going to play only Australian Open. Going to try like this to have more of a vacation time than usual and more off-season time and start with a slam straightaway, which is going to be new for me.”