'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYH/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA//aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAwCdGb//EACAQAAEDAwUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAxEABAUSEyIxQYL/2gAIAQEAAT8Ax4Wz2MMuDr427omrgTtosafruKlE9Kv/xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIS/9oACAECAQE/AHdabP/EABkRAQEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgAxsf/aAAgBAwEBPwCs85lNDsfXn//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Daniil Medvedev made a shocking confession about this season after his defeat to Taylor Fritz in the opening match of the 2024 ATP Finals. The Russian, who is a former champion at the event, has struggled to find his rhythm on the courts, in the latter half of this year.
Medvedev hasn't had the best of the seasons by his elite standards, and surprisingly didn't win a single title. Though he started the season with some deep runs, his performance saw a staggering downward trend post-Wimbledon. However, his initial results were enough to help him clinch a spot at the year-end finals. Coming into the year-end finals, he had a 45-19 win/loss record.
The Russian played fifth seed Taylor Fritz to kick off his campaign but was comfortably defeated 4-6, 3-6 by the American. His frustration was visible during the match and his antics became the talk of the town among the tennis fraternity.
Trending
During the post-match press conference, the World No. 4 was asked if he wanted the season to end.
Medvedev said that for the first time in his career, he wanted a tennis season to come to a close. He mentioned how he was giving it his best shot despite struggling with the balls at the event, something which wasn't under his control.
"100%. It's the first time I say it. Usually, like, ATP Finals were not easy for me. The only time I won it was when the year started US Open, so it's a little bit different," Daniil Medvedev said.
"But like I always fight. As I said, since long time I fight with something that doesn't depend on myself. I'm a good fighter. I am still 4 in the world. Might be 5 if Taylor plays good here. Still pretty decent. I'm sure a lot of guys would like it," he added.
The Russian said that he'll give it his best shot in the upcoming matches but if it doesn't work out, he wouldn't think much about it and go for a holiday.
"But now I'm tired to fight it. I'm tired to fight against something that doesn't depend on myself. I'll see how it goes. Today actually I had my chances. I'll have them the next matches. If it doesn't work out, I go on holiday. I'm happy," he said.
Medvedev has expressed his frustration over the balls on many occasions. Most recently, he complained about them during the Paris Masters after his shock defeat.
Daniil Medvedev will face Alex de Minaur in his next match
Daniil Medvedev will face seventh seed Alex de Minaur in his second group-stage match. The Aussie, meanwhile, will kick off his campaign against the top seed and home favorite Jannik Sinner.
This will be the 10th meeting between the two men with the Russian leading their head-to-head 6-3. However, it was the Aussie who won their most recent meeting, which came at the Roland Garros this year.
Following this game, Medvedev will play Jannik Sinner in his final group-stage match.
Medvedev won the 2020 ATP Finals. He won all of his group-stage matches, against Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zvverev, and Diego Schwartzman, respectively, in straight sets. Following this, he came back from a set down in the semifinals and finals against Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem, respectively, to clinch the title.
