Medvedev On Falling Short Of No.1: ‘I Don’t Think Nerves Were A Part Of This’

Daniil Medvedev entered Thursday’s quarter-final knowing a win against Hubert Hurkacz would see him return to the top spot in the ATP Rankings following the Miami Open presented by Itau.

But struggling physically in Hard Rock Stadium, the 25-year-old dropped a 7-6(7), 6-3 decision which will keep him behind Novak Djokovic at World No. 2. 

“For me was more important in a way just to win the match itself than to become a No. 1 by winning the match,” said Medvedev, who was not focussed on a return to the top spot. “I saw it more as a bonus. So I don’t feel like I was tight or anything because of this. To be honest, I played a lot of matches where I had the pressure, different [types], and it’s not like something new happened today in terms of like going out of court and feeling crazy tight or something. So I don’t think that nerves were part of this.”

Medvedev had to deal with dizziness and fatigue during the match, and was disappointed not to be able to produce his best tennis at the ATP Masters 1000 event.

“All the match I was not feeling my best. But, you know, sometimes it happens,” he told the press. “I don’t know the actual reason. Maybe the heat. But I was feeling super, like, dizzy, tired, and there was this long game where I couldn’t serve anymore. Then in the locker room I was cramping quite much, so physically was not easy. But at the same time, that’s part of the game.”

Despite the result, Medvedev was happy with his performance in Miami on the whole and feels that his game is trending in the right direction after a 4-2 stretch across Acapulco and Indian Wells.

“I’m kind of happy about the tournament in Miami in a way of tennis … I managed in Miami to find just a little spark to try to make it work. Today was not enough, but I’m happy that I saw that I’m able to do it.”

With few ATP Rankings points to defend during the upcoming clay swing, Medvedev will have every opportunity to fight to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the coming months.

“I’m in the right direction, so it’s good,” he said to conclude his press conference.