The 2024 season is set to get underway in a few days as players saddle up for the hectic tour. With the arrival of the new season, there will be a few players who are making a return to the game. With the comeback of Rafael Nadal confirmed in Brisbane, the rest of the top players are bracing themselves. One of Nadal’s rivals, Daniil Medvedev, has already begun training his mindset.
Medvedev emerged as the leading player among wins this season. He played in 84 matches and secured 66 victories. Speaking about mindset, he said that he wants to stay on tour as long as possible. Medvedev was also happy about Nadal coming back to the tour. He said that the Spaniard looks fit, and a possible matchup will be a test for him. Medvedev can also avenge his earlier losses to Nadal.
Daniil Medvedev is 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 😈
Can the world No. 3 win a Slam in 2024? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/iiS7LbHzgL
— Eurosport (@eurosport) December 23, 2023
Nadal and Medvedev have faced each other six times on the tour. The 37-year-old leads the head-to-head with five wins. Nadal has twice defeated Medvedev in the Grand Slam finals. The 2022 Australian Open final was one of the most heartbreaking losses for the Russian player. It can be one of the reasons for motivation as Medvedev looks to avenge his loss in Melbourne next month.
Daniil Medvedev is looking to strike big at the 2024 Australian Open
The 2024 Australian Open will begin on January 15th. The players will get to experience a new schedule as they can get rest before every match. The favorites, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Medvedev, hope to make a mark in Melbourne. Two-time finalist Medvedev made an early exit this season to Sebastian Korda. He lost in the third round to Korda in straight sets.
The world No. 3 will be playing his eighth Australian Open. He has not missed playing at the event since making his debut in 2017. After losing successive finals in 2021 and 2022 to Djokovic and Nadal, Medvedev will be making sure not to falter this time. After having a blockbuster first half this season, Medvedev could not win a title in the second half.
Daniil Medvedev: “I’m probably going to play only Australian Open. Going to try like this to have more of a vacation time than usual and more of an off-season time and start with a slam straightaway, which is going to be new for me. But let’s see.” pic.twitter.com/m41uAMtv2B
— kr9pton (@kr9ptonlul) November 18, 2023
The 27-year-old admitted that he was a bit tired mentally in the second half of this season. Medvedev will look to end his seven-month title drought as soon as possible. He is also 31 matches away from completing 500 matches on tour. Medvedev will be resting now after having completed a long, energy-draining year. He will strike big next season and maybe collect his second Grand Slam trophy.