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Daniil Medvedev said yesterday he had one of his best pre-seasons ever in a bid to finally win an Australian Open, pledging to be a “disruptor” against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The feisty Russian has reached three of the last four finals at Melbourne Park, outplayed by Novak Djokovic in 2021 before a heart-wrenching defeat to Rafael Nadal a year later.
He imploded against Sinner last year, crashing in five sets after being two up.
Medvedev delayed his arrival in Australia this year due to the birth of his second child and he has not played since the ATP Finals in November.
But the world No. 5 said it had only given him more time to prepare.
“I don’t want to make like too big of a statement, but I felt like it was one of the best pre-seasons I made,” he said.
“I feel great, because it gave me extra time to practise. I think we’re going to see a lot of interesting things from me, and I’m looking forward to it.”
The 28-year-old, whose only major success was the US Open in 2021, failed to win a title last year as Sinner and Alcaraz became the Grand Slam kings.
But he is ready to step up his game and take the challenge to them.
“Last year, except the Australian Open, I was less of a disruptor because Carlos and Jannik were beating me a lot of times,” he said.
“A lot of tournaments I was getting to the good stages but not able to beat them. I would like to become again . . . let’s say a disruptor, because it means that I will be able to get to these later stages and win them.
“At this moment they’re clearly the favourites, and that’s normal. I try to develop something (in the off-season), and let’s see if it works.”
Medvedev will open his campaign against Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej.
Meanwhile, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka says she wants to “put my name into history” by winning a third straight Australian Open title, but is aware she “has a target on her back”.
The Belarusian top seed is looking to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive Australian Opens.
Sabalenka will join a select group that also includes Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles if she makes it a Melbourne hat-trick in a fortnight’s time.
“I know that I have the possibility of joining legends by winning three times in a row,” Sabalenka told reporters at Melbourne Park.
“But I don’t want to overthink about that. I just want to do my job.
“Hopefully by the end of this tournament I’ll be super proud of myself and I’ll be able to put my name into history.”
Sabalenka won the Brisbane International last week and she is the woman to beat in Australia after the best season of her career in 2024, capped by being named WTA Player of the Year last month.
Sabalenka said she relishes being the player being hunted.
“I always like to compete. I always like to accept really tough challenges. And for me, being the one to chase, I don’t know, I like it,” she said.
“I like that feeling. That’s what drives me and helps me to stay motivated because I know that I have a target on my back and I really like to have it.
“That’s why I work really hard to make sure that nobody can get to me.”
Sabalenka began 2024 by successfully defending her Australian Open title and bookended it by lifting her first US Open, as well as winning WTA 1 000 events in Cincinnati and Wuhan.
She begins her title defence with a potentially tricky match against the 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens, who has been sliding down the rankings and is now 84th.
“I think right now she’s kind of in the mood of nothing to lose and she can play really great tennis, so I expect a great battle,” said Sabalenka. – SuperSport.
Online Reporter