Daniil Medvedev opens up about how five Grand Slam final losses have shaped his career

Daniil Medvedev is through to the Dubai Tennis Championships final after a straight-sets win over top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Medvedev came through 6-4, 6-2, moving into the final of the ATP 500 event for the third time in his career.

Advertisement

He’s yet to drop a set all week, with earlier wins over Shang Juncheng, Stan Wawrinka and Jenson Brooksby before his victory against Auger-Aliassime.

Having already won in Brisbane this year, Medvedev is aiming for his second title of the season and 23rd overall.

After his win, Medvedev was asked about how he handles big finals. His response was honest:

Medvedev opens up about how Grand Slam losses have shaped him

Medvedev’s record in Grand Slam finals stands at 1-5, with his only win coming at the 2021 US Open, where he defeated Novak Djokovic to claim the title.

Asked how those defeats have impacted him over time, Medvedev said: “I think it really depends the moment of your life when it happens. I basically lost five Grand Slam finals. It’s a bit of experience (smiling).

Advertisement

“Some I lost were, like, honestly a boost of confidence to even play better after. I won some tournaments straight after losing the final.

“Some were a bit tougher, where for a different reason I kind of took it worse, like on myself, maybe a bit too hard on myself, et cetera.

“Right now, to be really honestly, if you ask me to remember, I will start to remember some points from there, maybe some moments I could do better.

“In general, I really don’t care much. I don’t remember them because I’m very focused on I’m 11 in the world now , how do I get back into the top 10 , how do I try to get back into these Grand Slam finals.

Advertisement

“If I only think about the ones I lost , it will not lead me anywhere and I will have regrets. I have no regrets I feel like in my career . that’s it.

“I hope i can have more finals to discuss , if it’s a win or a loss . hopefully , it can be a win.”

Daniil Medvedev addresses potential end to unique ATP title streak

All 22 of Medvedev’s career titles have come in different cities, but that run could end this weekend, as he’s already lifted the trophy once before in Dubai.

Asked about the possibility of finally repeating a title, he responded: “It would be cool. It would not be something crazy. If it would be maybe US Open, that would be a bit crazy.

Advertisement

“Every tournament I play I try to win. I find it even very surprising that I never won somewhere twice because I kind of now, especially in my career, tend to repeat the tournaments. I start to know what tournaments I like. I just repeat them year in, year out.”

“But I always said, look, I tried. Tomorrow I’ll try to make it two somewhere. I’ll not be disappointed if the streak ended.

“Just going to feel great to win the tournament. It’s not going to feel any more special. Just a bit fun to win, finally a second one somewhere.”

Medvedev last won the Dubai title back in 2023 when he beat compatriot Andrey Rublev in straight sets.

Advertisement

Read more:

Click here to read article