Coach Patrick Mouratoglou thinks Daniil Medvedev is struggling on clay because he has convinced himself that it is just not a surface for him and not moving well on the surface is also a problem. Medvedev, 27, expressed several times in the past his annoyance with clay courts.
During this year’s Indian Wells Masters, Medvedev ranted about the slow court conditions in the desert – saying it was “a freaking disgrace to call this a hard court.” Medvedev has 19 titles in his collection but he has yet to win a clay title.
Mouratoglou on Medvedev’s struggles on clay
“I think that Daniil Medvedev struggles that much on clay for two main reasons. The first one is mental. He has decided that clay is not for him, and he said it a hundred times.
It’s impossible to achieve something big when you think you are not good at it. And secondly, there are also technical reasons. He doesn’t move well on clay. I think he can learn. Of course, for sure, he can learn. But for the moment, he doesn’t feel comfortable.
It’s difficult to be anchored in the ground, to be able to hit the best shot possible. And if you look at his game, it’s based on movement so much. And the second thing, is this ball quality on clay when you play flat, the ball is not as low.
First of all and there is not much quality and it’s easier to attack. I think his forehand has quality on clay, his backhand is less and that’s his major shot is backhand so that’s why he is hurt,” Mouratoglou said in a video uploaded on his Instagram.
Medvedev made the final in each of his last five tournaments. But now, Medvedev is set to play.
Medvedev is starting his clay season at the Monte Carlo Masters. One of Medvedev’s best results on clay came in 2019 Monte Carlo, when he made the semifinal before losing to Dusan Lajovic.
