Daniil Medvedev news: US Open champion advised where he needs to improve to take his game to new level

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Daniil Medvedev in action

Daniil Medvedev has ticked two things off his to-do list, but he needs to “go back to work” if he is to reach new heights, says Mats Wilander.

The 26-year-old won his maiden Grand Slam in September when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the final of the US Open and, on the back of finishing runner-up to Rafael Nadal at this year’s Australian Open, he reached No 1 in the ATP Rankings in February.

An early exit from the Indian Wells Open meant he was usurped by Djokovic’s in the rankings again, but he has a chance to reclaim top place with a run to the semi-final in Miami.

Although his first major and the No 1 spot meant he has achieved two lifelong dreams, there is still a lot to achieve for Medvedev, and Eurosport pundit and former world No 1 Wilander says he needs to improve his performances on clay and grass, among other things.

“Well, first of all, I have no idea how, if you are a Russian citizen, the war could not affect you somehow emotionally. I mean, I really think that’s important to point out,” the told Eurosport.

“Now, if you put that aside – which is impossible to do, but if you’re able to do that – Daniil Medvedev has achieved the two goals in his tennis career.

“He won a Grand Slam and he became world No 1. So what is the third goal after that? The third goal goes back to what we did when we were young. The goal is to improve and Daniil Medvedev needs to improve his tennis.

“Not on fast hard courts, but he needs to improve his tennis on slow hard courts. He needs to improve it on the clay court. He needs to improve it on the grass court.

“So 75% of the year is not played on Daniil Medvedev’s favourite surface. So he needs to turn that ratio around where 75% of the time he feels like he’s playing in an environment that makes him play his best tennis.

“That’s not the case with Daniil Medvedev… But because he’s won a Grand Slam because he has become the world No 1, he’s achieved that.

“Forget it now, Daniil, it’s time to go back to work and become a better tennis player.”

Daniil Medvedev Mats Wilander

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