Daniil Medvedev’s major record is not to be sniffed at. The World No. 3 has lifted the US Open trophy, reached two finals at the Australian Open and the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
The 27-year-old has always struggled to find his top level at Wimbledon, though, with his best result a run to the fourth round in 2021. Medvedev is determined to change the record this fortnight as he seeks a sixth tour-level title of the season in London.
“The fact that Wimbledon for the moment is my worst slam in terms of results, maximum fourth round. I want to try to improve it, I want to try to play well. I have big goals for this year,” Medvedev said in his pre-tournament press conference on Saturday.
“I’m really looking forward because the first two Slams were not as I expected. This can happen. I have even more kind of goals towards Wimbledon to try to show my best tennis.”
Having arrived on Tuesday, Medvedev feels his preparations have gone well at SW19. The 20-time tour-level champion will face British wild card Arthur Fery in the first round and is excited to soak up the atmosphere at the grass-court major.
“I definitely feel like every time you come to Wimbledon, it’s the same feeling, especially the first day… The first day you come, it was the same for me in juniors, you’re like, ‘Wow, that must be the best place in the world’. Every flower seems to be in the right order, the right colour. The locker rooms are unbelievable. Food is great. I mean, the atmosphere around the site itself, first day you always say, ‘Wow, that’s the best tournament’.
“The only bad thing is when you lose, you go crazy. You’re like, ‘No, I played so bad’. That’s why I want to try to make it even a happier place for me.”
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Medvedev, currently third in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin, has struggled at Wimbledon but has shown promising signs on grass at other tour-level events. In 2021 he lifted his only trophy on the surface in Mallorca, before reaching finals in Halle and ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 2022.
“I feel like I can play well on grass,” Medvedev said. “Last year I made two finals in the three tournaments that I played. Just need to find my way, find my rhythm. That’s the last tournament where I can do it.”
Medvedev is in the top half of the draw alongside World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who Medvedev is seeded to meet in the quarter-finals.