Exclusive: Danill Medvedev Confident Ahead of Busy ATP Schedule as He Targets Winning Return

World number 8 Danill Medvedev is beaming with confidence ahead of his participation in the upcoming ATP Tour events in Marseille, Doha, and Dubai.

Medvedev admitted that the big break to end his trophyless run since 2023 will come sooner, rather than later in the coming days.

The Russian star failed to impress at the Australian Open where he was eliminated in the second round and he recently underwhelmed at the ATP Rotterdam with his round of 16 exit.

The 2021 US Open champion will begin his adventure for his first title since the ATP Masters 1000 Rome in May 2023 with a round of 16 game against France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert at the ATP 250 Open 13 Provence on Thursday.

Medvedev told SportsBoom.com: “It might be surprising because sometimes when you’re not confident, you don’t feel good. That’s normal; that’s tennis but I feel pretty good because I sense that I’m not that far from playing better, from improving my game, and achieving better results.”

“The question is just whether that will happen here in Marseille, next week in Doha, or in Dubai, etc. But every week is a new opportunity.”

“I have played four times in Marseille, and it is like every other tournament, sometimes ago I lost in the first round here and it was not good."

“Another time, I won the title here in Marseille and I remember before the tournament, it was not an easy moment for me. I always remember it as a good tournament and a good place, and I'm happy to be able to regain my confidence here.”

After the disappointment in Rotterdam, Medvedev continues a tight February schedule on Thursday in Marseille followed by a trip to the Middle East for the ATP 500 Qatar Open that runs from February 17 to 22, then he will cross borders for the ATP 250 Dubai Tennis Championship from February 24 to March 1.

MEDVEDEV MOTIVATED TO WIN AGAIN

The former world number one continues to drop in the ATP rankings with Novak Djokovic narrowly ahead of him by 70 points as Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz lead the charts. 

With Sinner and Alcaraz already bagging a title each this season, the 29-year-old asserted that he can only stake a claim among the great players by lifting silverware too.

“They are great players, they have both won a title each this year and it shows how great they are,” Medvedev continued. 

“I am also a top player so I need to win a title, and I will try to get the title here in Marseille."

“I always have the motivation, I always do the pre-season, that won’t change. I had good training sessions before Rotterdam.”

“I had a little less time, but I’m ready. Physically, I’m ready. So now, it’s just about winning more matches.”