Daniil Medvedev is putting up his best effort to get out of a problem that does not appear to have any immediate remedies. The Russian ace, who has not won a trophy in nearly two years (his last victory was in Rome in May 2023) and has not reached a final since the 2024 Indian Wells Masters 1000, has shown some signs of improvement in recent tournaments, but he is still a long way from the player who won the US Open in 2021 and rose to the top of the ATP rankings.
The Moscow winner had a successful tournament at Indian Wells, reaching the semifinals after defeating Arthur Fils in one of the most stunning matches of the season's inaugural Masters 1000 event. However, his present level was insufficient to defeat Holger Rune in the semifinals as well. Despite the fact that the young Dane is not having the finest season of his career, he easily won the first semi-final, exposing all of Daniil's flaws.
The former world number one will strive to improve his performance in the Miami Open, where he previously won in 2023 by defeating current ATP ranking leader Jannik Sinner in the final. Before the event began in Florida, Medvedev appeared in an interesting conversation with Grigor Dimitrov (finalist in Miami in 2024), James Blake (current tournament director), Gustavo Kuerten, and Juan Martin del Potro.
During this roundtable discussion with Lacoste, Medvedev revealed an unexpected detail about his childhood tennis heroes. While many might assume that he grew up idolizing tennis greats like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Medvedev shared an unusual choice: Florian Mayer. "I know it may seem strange to many, but I have always loved watching Florian Mayer play," Medvedev stated. He reminisced about their encounter in his first Challenger final, where Mayer bested him with a score of 6-2, 6-1. This peculiar admiration for Mayer, known for his unique playing style, adds depth to Medvedev's character as an athlete who appreciates individuality in the sport.
Meanwhile, in the same roundtable discussion, both Medvedev and Dimitrov assessed the best one-handed backhands in tennis history. Dimitrov, who employs a one-handed backhand himself, cited Stan Wawrinka's shot as exceptional. "For me, I like things to look good! But I love Stan’s backhand, no doubt," he said. He also remarked on Dominic Thiem, noting his powerful backhand, especially highlighting his performance when Thiem triumphantly captured the title at Indian Wells.
Medvedev weighed in on Dimitrov's comments, describing Thiem's shot as the toughest one-handed backhand he has encountered. "Dominic was the toughest one-handed backhand I played," he noted, praising Thiem's ability to slice and then drive the ball down the line with precision.
The discussion also posed concerns for the future of the one-handed backhand, which has become less popular in today's game. Former world number four James Blake expressed his apprehension, stating, "I think in 10 or 15 years I don’t know there’s going to be [any]," reflecting on the decline of this elegant stroke in favor of the more common two-handed variant. Medvedev, while recognizing the importance of diversity in tennis, agreed but remained optimistic about the longevity of the shot. "I think it’s tough now. I think there is always going to be some, but there is going to be less and less," he remarked.
Further contemplating the one-handed backhand, Juan Martin del Potro, a previous US Open winner, brought attention to Roger Federer’s evolution in this area. Dimitrov echoed this observation, elaborating on how Federer refined his backhand, particularly notable as he approached the later years of his illustrious career. "For me, Roger would improve the last three years, the way he improved his backhand. I think multiple things played a role in my opinion," Dimitrov explained. He noted that Federer’s adaptation to different playing styles, including how Rafael Nadal’s lefty spin affected him, has transformed the way he handled the ball, illustrating the interplay between different player styles in the context of evolving techniques.
As Medvedev prepares for the Miami Open, the conversation around the sport and the techniques within it continues to evolve, reminding fans and players alike that while the game may change, the admiration for individual styles and innovative techniques remains timeless. With the tournament approaching, all eyes will be on how Medvedev performs, not just in terms of results but in showcasing the learning and progression from engaging conversations that push the sport forward.
The Miami Open will offer Medvedev a chance to improve on his last outing while giving tennis enthusiasts an opportunity to see some of the best players as they compete. The evolution of player techniques and the renowned shots shared in conversations like these highlight the ongoing narrative of tennis, making it a sport rich in its history yet always looking forward.
