ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

November 5, 2021

Daniil Medvedev

Press Conference

D. MEDVEDEV/H. Gaston

7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. A bit of a slow start. A bit up-and-down start, let's just say. Is it you're still not getting used to the conditions, or what is it?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I think a lot of factors. First of all, sometimes it happens, because if we're talking about the first match I had a fast start but didn't manage to keep it. So up and down also a little bit.

I think they changed the balls from last year, HEAD, I don't know why. This year, if you look at the matches and the way they are playing, super slow for indoor hard courts, especially for Bercy, which is one of the fastest tournaments of the year, I want to say too slow for indoor hard courts.

We have clay, we have outdoor hard courts that can be slow. Indoor hard courts is not made to be slow. So I don't know why they try to invent things and make these balls. I have no idea why, because last year was not the case.

So all these things together makes it sometimes tough to hold serve. Exactly like it was in Indian Wells, for example. So that's why, for example, even second set I'm up, I'm serving better, but, yeah, there are a few games where you miss one first serve and the second you cannot do much. Even if I like in a way my second serve, I like to (indiscernible) up on it. Here it's impossible.

We saw that with Novak today, so many breaks, and Novak is -- of course we talk about his return but he's a really great server and likes to hold his serve.

So that's why it can be up-and-down sometimes.

Q. I asked Novak if the year-end No. 1 ranking was in his mind while you were on court and he said it most definitely is, because a lot depended on what happened in your match. Is that something that's in your mind, or do you feel you're still a little bit too removed from actually ending the year No. 1?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: To be honest, I never thought about it. After US Open, I mean, I guess if I would win Indian Wells it could get into my mind more. Right now it's not the case, because also, I'm not sure of the mathematics. But I guess if Novak is in the final, he maybe secure it. Maybe he needs one match win in Turin.

We all know who Novak is. There is big chance he's going to be able to make it. So that's why I don't think about it.

If, at one moment -- I don't know. Let's say, I don't know, we cannot even be in the same group in Turin, but I don't know, his last match in Turin and I know that if I win the tournament I'm going to become No. 1, whatever, then that's where it can get into my mind.

Now nothing depends on me. I just need to try to win matches. So, yeah, I guess the answer is it's more in his mind and that's what he's trying to do, that's why also maybe he came here. So, yeah, it's more up to him.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Why did you empty your pockets at the end of the match? It's quite funny and surprising. What did you think of Hugo Gaston? He actually held his own during the match.

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: It was a tough match, I have to say, in front of a very difficult crowd. So it was a joke with my team, actually. Usually I raise my hands and I celebrate, but this was actually a celebration both for my team and myself. I'm not going to explain, because this is an inside joke between us.

But as for Hugo, I mean, he played very well. He's very strong. He had some opportunities.

I played well, and I want to say I don't often play such a strong opponent, and I'm actually fit. In five, ten weeks, if he plays like this, I think it's enough for him to climb the ranking.

Q. Why is Hugo Gaston so special? How can he upset an opponent?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: He hits the ball well. He can hit it strongly. He did it at crunch moments. His dropshots are famous. It's not easy to run always forwards.

He's also able to put spin on the ball and to have also dropshots on the same ball. You never know what he's about to do, so it's not easy for your footwork. He's good on his return, and especially with the balls that are very slow, he likes it, because he has time to hit the balls well. This is what he likes to do. This is why he managed to go so far during this tournament.

So he needs to continue playing so well for more time, and I'm sure that he will go very far.