Daniil Medvedev: I’m Not Hiding This, I Don’t Like Clay!

Daniil Medvedev has come clean (or dirty): He doesn’t like the clay and the clay doesn’t like him.

Speaking in his pre-tournament presser ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters, the world No. 2 admitted that clay is not his surface of choice.

“I’m not hiding this, I don’t like clay,” Medvedev said Sunday. “I’m not going to South America, although I like to travel. I would like to go there once in my life, of course. But I’m not going to go there instead of Rotterdam, Marseille or Dubai. I’m not going to play on clay in South America during that time.

“But especially after what happened two years ago, I know I can play well on this court. Every time I practice on clay, after when I play my match, I try to do my best, but it’s difficult for me. I hope I’m going to have good results this year after the good work I’ve been doing.

“But honestly, there’s nothing I like on clay. There’s always bad bounces, you’re dirty after playing. I really don’t enjoy playing on clay.”

Two years ago, Medvedev did beat Stefanos Tsitsipas and then Novak Djokovic to reach the Monte Carlo semifinals. But otherwise it’s been tough for the Russian on clay. He’s 0-4 at the French, 0-2 and Rome, 0-2 at Madrid. But he’s hopeful of turning that around.

“Mentally I think for me the most important is going to be to know that some shots that maybe would be winners or which I would win the point on hard courts, it’s definitely not the case on clay courts,” said Medvedev. “You need to do maybe three good shots, like one of which would be enough on hard courts. That’s tough sometimes for me to understand.

“Also, of course, the quality of my ball after the bounce. If I play like on hard courts, it’s not that amazing with my flat strokes. Working on putting some more spin, some more trajectory.

“Yeah, all of this is tough because for 10, 9 months, I’m playing like I’m used to, then I have to change it for two months, still keeping the things that I do well also. Like you cannot change completely your game.”

Medvedev, who resides in Monte Carlo, will be able to stay at home for the event. He’ll open up against either Filip Krajinovic or Nikolaz Basilashvili.

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