NATIONAL BANK OPEN

August 10, 2023

Daniil Medvedev

Press Conference

D. MEDVEDEV/L. Musetti

6-4, 6-4

DANIIL MEDVEDEV

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Congrats on the win. Two straight set victories to start your summer hard court swing following Wimbledon. How are you feeling about your game on the surface right now and how things are starting back here in Toronto for you?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: So far, pretty well. But the farther you go, the tougher the opponents and more the pressure and stuff like this, and that's what we're looking for.

So looking forward to tomorrow already. But in general, two great matches. You know, there are shots I could have done better. But in general, with how these matches went in terms of when I broke the guys, how I was controlling the match, it was not bad at all. Serving pretty big in important moments.

So happy so far. Let's see what the future brings.

Q. We all know how much you love hard courts and you're one of the best players in the world on this surface, but you're coming in after a really good clay court season and a great run on grass. Did those results give you more confidence coming into part of the season where your historically really good?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Honestly, not at all. I would say what gave me more confidence is for sure the run I had starting from Rotterdam. That was amazing and that's -- Rotterdam, coming into the week, I dropped out of top 10. So I was not confident at all about my game. For whatever reason, it was not working.

And you always start doubting, Okay, am I going to be able to find it back, even if I trust that I could. And then starting from there, I did a lot of great results. And I was like, Great, I can play well again.

And so I think that gives me a lot of confidence for what next to come in hard courts. And, of course, as I always said, you know, this tournament, it starts here. It's a very important tournament where you can start to boost confidence step by step. So far it's working.

Q. You've been at the top of the men's game for a few years now. What is that transition like for a player when they go from the hunter to the hunted?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I don't know. I always about think like this, you know, when they ask me about ranking goals or same about hunted or the hunter.

I always feel like it's always better to be the hunter. Maybe you can get some guys that are going to be like, Wow, I'm going to play my best match of my life against him. And this could happen, and that's very frustrating at times. Because then you watch the next match and you're like, Why didn't you play like against me?

But if you are the hunter, it means that you're on top of the game, and that's always the best. Because it's always better to be consistent and try to win a lot of tournaments than win a couple of good wins against top players here and there but not do this.

So as I said, only tough thing is that sometimes guys come out there and they're like, I'm going to play the best match of my life. And, well, if they want to do it, go for it.

Q. You've got De Minaur next, I believe, who you have played four times. You won the first three. He got the last one, I believe, indoors last fall. What challenge specifically will he bring out for you when you face him tomorrow?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Well, he plays very well. He has been top 20 for a long time. In a way, a little bit stuck at this top 20, but that's a good thing.

And you know, you're always close to being top 10 when you are there. Just need one good result. So he's looking for it this week also.

Last match -- I feel like all the matches we played were pretty tough. It's always tough to make a winner against him. He runs for every ball. He can return well. And we had some tight matches in the past, and the last one I lost was also pretty close.

So I'm looking to play my best tomorrow. You have to be consistent against him. I have to find the right moment to hit a great shot, to make him run, and stuff like this. And, of course, I have to serve well.

So looking forward to playing against such a tough opponent and hopefully can play well.