At 23 years old, Daniil Medvedev is setting his sights on winning his first Grand Slam. Fresh from a straight-set victory over Grigor Dimitrov, the fifth-ranked Medvedev barges into his first Grand Slam final at the US Open in Flushing Meadows against the world no.2 Rafael Nadal.
Medvedev becomes the first Russian since Marat Safin to reach the US Open final. But prior to his rise to being the fifth-ranked player in the world, Medvedev has had to overcome many battles not only in the court but also in his head.
There was a time when he had verbal battles with fans and coaches. During his young tennis career, he had instances when he thought that fans and coaches were applauding double faults or other errors. He would be screaming on them and the fans would retaliate by screaming on him as well. In addition, he also felt that some people thought he would never be a good tennis player.
Medvedev and his mental coach
Medvedev has recently praised his psychologist, Francisca Dauzet for improving his game and concentration. Dauzet is a part of Medvedev’s team, and often meets with world number 5 multiple times a week. In a recent interview, she said “He’s rising now, but it is over one year we are working together.”
Daniil Medvedev on his wife
In a recent press conference, Medvedev credits his wife, Daria, as one of the reasons for his career resurgence. Medvedev has nothing but praises for Daria who has made him a better player. He believes that she has given him a lot of confidence in his game. He considers Daria as one of the most important members of his team. She also travels with him to different parts of the world.
During his pre-conference following his victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinal, Daniil commented: “[My mental coach] is helping me a lot. I mean, to be honest, my wife helps me a lot. Again, just sitting there with myself.”
The two got married in September 2018. Before getting married, they were together for four years. For Medvedev, proposing to Daria started it all. From there, it was all going up. According to him, his wife cared about the small things in life that would take his attention. Because of this, it allowed him to play better tennis and win some matches.
The support of his coach Gilles Cervara
His coach Gilles Cervara also had a hand in making Medvedev better mentally. He worked on his ability to succumb to frustration and anger. As a junior player, he engaged in screaming matches with coaches and others on the sideline. In 2017, after losing in the second round of the Wimbledon, Medvedev threw coins at the base of the umpire’s chair.
After a rough start, Cervera helped Medvedev win four titles, including the Cincinnati Masters in August. Now, Medvedev leads the tour in the number of wins with 50 and finals with six. Only Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl have reached the finals in the four major summer events.
Medvedev at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2019
Ranked no.5 (career-high), Daniil has a 49-16 win-loss record in 2019. Daniil is currently having a run at the U.S. Open where he beat Prajnesh Gunneswaran 6-4 6-1 6-2, Hugo Dellien 6-3 7-5 5-7 6-3, Feliciano Lopez 7-61 4-6 7-67 6-4, Dominik Koepfer 3-6 6-3 6-2 7-62, Stan Wawrinka 7-66 6-3 3-6 6-1 and Grigor Dimitrov 7-65 6-4 6-3.
Daniil will fight against Nadal in the final. The head to head is 1-0 for Nadal. The last time that they locked horns, Nadal won 6-3 6-0 in the final in Montreal in 11th August 2019.
Daniil has won 2 titles in 2019 in Sofia and in Cincinnati. The Russian was the finalist in Brisbane, in Barcelona, in Washington and in Montreal.
Daniil won 5 titles in his career: 3 on hard courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)