Daniil Medvedev dreams of becoming world No 1, but insists ‘I’m not obsessed with it’

He has “been thinking” about becoming world No 1 since the age of six, but Daniil Medvedev insists he is “not obsessed with it”.
The Russian made the world sit up and take note of his talent in 2019 as he finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the US Open, won his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title, reached six consecutive finals and surged to a career-high of No 4 in the world.
Having beaten the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic this campaign, many have backed him to become the top-ranked player in the world with former Russian world No 1 saying: “I believe he can be No 1 in the world.
“His all-around game… we just need to work on certain small things.”
Medvedev himself also dreams of claiming the coveted spot, but he insists it’s not the be-all and end-all.
“I have been thinking about it (the No 1 spot) since I was six-years-old, but the thing is that I’m not obsessed with it,” he told Ubitennis.com.
“For example, if I was 40 and during my career, I achieved a best ranking of number two in the world, it would not change my life completely.”
He added: “Of course working hard and playing so many tournaments you want to achieve the best ranking possible.”
Instead of just practicing during the off-season, the 23-year-old has signed up for the Diriyah Tennis Cup, an exhibition tournament being staged in Saudi Arabia.
The likes of Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils are also competing in the event this week and Medvedev feels it is a good way to get ready for a big 2020.
“It is going to be important to see how my game is right now in the middle of the pre-season. To see what I need to improve more, what I need to work more on with my team,” he said.
“Obviously after my last season, I have a lot of big expectations for 2020, but first of all I need to stay lucid and take it all match-by-match.”
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
News
Australian Open preparations rocked by fourth positive Covid case
A positive test was returned by a broadcast team member on a charter flight from Los Angeles.
-
News
Players were made aware of isolation risks on arrival to Australia – Craig Tiley
Forty seven players will have to remain in their hotel rooms for 14 days.
-
Australian Open
Andy Murray’s waiting game as anger mounts after tennis players fly in for Australian Open
Andy Murray is waiting to see if there is any way he compete in the Australian Open after testing positive for Covid-19.
-
News
Positive Covid cases on flights to Australia put 47 players in 14-day quarantine
Three people across two chartered flights carrying the Open hopefuls tested positive for coronavirus upon their arrival in Melbourne.
-
Tennis News
Bernard Tomic still has drive to compete, saying ‘I don’t need to play tennis again, I’ve got enough money’
“I’m risking my life, and I’m playing and competing.”
-
Tennis News
Dominic Thiem: ‘My wish for 2021 is to win a second Grand Slam title’
Dominic Thiem eyes a second Grand Slam trophy.
-
Australian Open
VIDEO and PICS: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams among tennis stars to arrive in Australia
This way for a video and pics of arrivals in Australia.
-
Australian Open
Official insists no special Australian Open treatment for Andy Murray after positive COVID-19 result
Andy Murray warned he won’t get preferential treatment.
-
Australian Open
Madison Keys latest player to miss Australian Open charter flight after testing positive for coronavirus
Madison Keys unlikely to play at Australian Open.
-
Australian Open
Andy Murray in race against time to play at Australian Open after testing positive for COVID-19
Andy Murray tests positive for coronavirus – report.