Daniil Medvedev ‘happy’ he ‘managed to get in Carlos Alcaraz’s head’
Daniil Medvedev declared he was “happy that I managed to get in his head” after defeating Carlos Alcaraz to reach the final of the 2023 US Open.
The world No 3 also recognised his victory over the defending champion and current world No 1 was “very important for the confidence and self-esteem.”
The 27-year-old prevailed in a high-level four-set semi-final to reach his third US Open final as he seeks to secure his second crown in New York.
The victory was Medvedev’s second against the Spaniard and first since 2021, with the 20-year-old having won both previous meetings in 2023 in straight sets.
Medvedev will face 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in a rematch of the 2021 US Open final, which he won in straight sets to claim his only major to date.
Following his last four triumph, the Russian was told about Alcaraz’s comments praising the quality of his forehand in the match.
“Yeah, the thing is [at] US Open, and I don’t really know the reason, I tend to play aggressive, fast, I serve well. Probably the speed of the court that helps me. Like, Indian Wells, I mean, that I did the final was amazing, because I basically can’t hit the ball there,” explained Medvedev in his press conference.
“It has nothing to do, let’s call it, with my forehand and so I beat some good guys there, some good matches, but as soon as I got someone like Carlos with his style of play, it was kind of over for me. I would generally think a court like Miami maybe I could have done the same like today.
“So for sure I had my plan in my head, but I kind of had the same one in Wimbledon and Indian Wells. It’s just that the courts were tougher to use it. I mean, grass is completely different, so on grass it’s just tougher to hit this forehand. So I’m happy that I managed to get in his head.”
The 2021 US Open winner was also asked about the significance of beating the two-time major champion given his struggles against him this year.
“I don’t know. I guess for the confidence and self-esteem, it’s very important. At the same time that this thing about tennis, it’s great that I won this match, but if I lose on Sunday, the tournament, it’s like it’s a good tournament but I’m going to be hell disappointed. That’s how tennis is,” said the world No 3.
“So yeah, it was a great win, it’s great for the confidence. You know, I have hopefully long years of career ahead. And to know I’m capable of doing it on the big stage, every time you do it one more time, brings more confidence.
“You know you can do it again. You want to do it again. You want to feel this. And at the same time, what is the most important is to kind of use it but forget about it and go for the next one.”
READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz makes candid maturity admission after ‘losing his mind’ in Daniil Medvedev loss
