Medvedev, happy victim of two historic comebacks: "I didn't think about the 2022 match against Rafa"

Triumph was evident in Daniil Medvedev’s eyes. As he prepared to step onto the court at the Rod Laver Arena, he exuded a calm yet determined demeanor. Confident in his secret plan, he believed with unwavering certainty that it would lead him to victory. However, in the Australian Open final, Medvedev showcased a different approach. Adapting to the situation, he shifted from a defensive style to an aggressive one, attacking the lines and relentlessly pressing forward. The strategy paid off handsomely in the earlier sets, as he dismantled his opponent, who struggled to cope with the pressure of his first grand final. The thunderous sound of Medvedev’s shots echoed through the arena, leaving no room for errors. Finally, after two previous unsuccessful attempts in 2021 and 2022, he was on the cusp of being adorned with the crown in Melbourne. Yet, fate had other plans.

Unfortunately, Medvedev experienced a sudden setback as Jannik Sinner displayed an impressive resurgence. Despite squandering a significant advantage, reminiscent of his previous loss against Rafael Nadal, the Russian athlete insisted that his defeat was not a result of dwelling on past disappointment. During the trophy presentation, he maintained a composed demeanor, vehemently denying any connection to his previous defeat. “I did not allow thoughts of the match against Rafa to consume me. Although it was incredibly challenging at the time, I made a conscious effort to leave it behind. Otherwise, I would risk losing countless games throughout the season due to that haunting memory. This time, the circumstances were different. I didn’t abruptly cease playing, nor did I make grave errors in the final sets. It was simply a case of Jannik proving to be the better player. If anything, I would attribute my performance to fatigue,” Medvedev begrudgingly conceded. Notably, in this final, Medvedev etched his name into the record books. Never before in the history of the Australian Open had a player spent such a staggering number of hours on the court throughout the tournament—over 24 hours, engaging in four grueling five-set duels. From the moment his second-round match against Emil Ruusuvuori concluded at the unearthly hour of 4:00 a.m., Medvedev, ranked third in the ATP, embarked on a harrowing journey of pure survival.

“It’s an intrinsic part of the sport,” he conceded.

“I’ve undergone tremendous personal growth since 2022. Consequently, I endeavored to deliver a graceful runner-up speech, aiming to foster a sense of contentment before returning home. Moving forward, I am determined to prevent this defeat from derailing me. Such setbacks are inherent to our beloved sport,” Medvedev proclaimed, bearing the weight of prior Grand Slam final losses on his shoulders.

Now 27 years old, in the prime of his career, Medvedev’s record includes six Grand Slam finals, with a solitary victory at the 2021 US Open. Historically, he has primarily contended with formidable opponents in the likes of Nadal and Novak Djokovic, but now, on this Sunday, he had succumbed to Sinner as well. Interestingly, his record in ATP finals is striking. With 37 appearances to his name—more than any other active player, excluding Nadal, Djokovic, and Andy Murray—he has emerged victorious in only 20, lagging behind the likes of Alexander Zverev.

The likelihood of Medvedev’s return to the number one spot in the ATP rankings, a position he held for 16 weeks in 2022, appears dubious. Even his ascent to the second rank seems jeopardized, as the promotion of Sinner, presently positioned at number four, looms on the horizon.