“From childhood, I racked rackets”: Dmitriev about the psychology of Medvedev, his tactical flexibility and the US Open semi-finals

- How impressive are you the form Medvedev has gained over the past two months?

- To be honest, I would not want to focus on his form. Because now it is declining. Let’s better talk about the appearance of a style that for all his rivals was very uncomfortable. It is no coincidence that reputable experts are so surprised by his manner of performing strikes.

- Can you tell us more?

- He is very fast, fast, lightweight and with excellent pitch. Dania somehow crept up unnoticed by everyone and began to demonstrate a stable and clear tennis, which the whole world paid attention to. His punches literally lie on the court. Such was expected from Medvedev - a fact. This is exactly what is the main thing at the moment. It became interesting because people saw tactics and a little psychologist on the court.

- Obviously, Daniel made a serious bid for the transition to the elite of world tennis. In order to gain a foothold in the rank of one of the best, he needs to continue to play at the same level?

- I am sure that he will not stop in development and is able to significantly add. Closely watched how he played over the past four weeks. The match with Djokovic was not at all like what he had demonstrated before. He showed not only a speedy and powerful game, but also rose above his own capabilities. Based on this, I conclude that in a year or another he will be even better.

- Daniel won 19 of the last 21 matches in 35 days - how can you be at the peak of form for so long? Does this mean that the Russian has already become a cool athlete, who adds on through constant competitive practice?

- As I said earlier - the peak has already passed. Daniel is almost exhausted, very tired. He himself talks about this, and we, experts, see this with the naked eye. In the second match, there were already convulsions that were completely uncharacteristic for Medvedev. In addition, he defeated Stan Wavrinka with an injury. But it’s great that this continues to struggle, I don’t know how good he will be in the next match, but I think he’s able to go further. But not enough to beat Nadal.

- Which of the victories of Daniel at the US Open impressed you more than others?

“In fairness, he hasn’t done anything supernatural yet.” Personally, it pleases me that, being tired, he passed all who met on his way. I am just pleased that Medvedev is winning.

- Why did the experienced Wavrinka not pick up the keys to Medvedev, although the Russian admitted that he felt most of the match was not in the best way, and even thought about shooting?

- Danya himself called this game strange. At times it seemed that he stopped fighting, but in reality it was just a saving of forces. For example, when Medvedev saw that nothing shines in a particular game, he gave up. Wawrinka for such an uneven game just could not get used to. Medvedev did not allow the Swiss to play at the same pace. He built it in torn pieces. Dania, despite the fact that by and large this is his third season on the professional tour, has already established himself as an excellent tactician.

- Jim Courier called tennis, which Medvedev demonstrates, chess on the court. What exactly, in your opinion, is this expressed in?

- In the sense of an opponent. Dania passes opponents through herself, trying to force them to leave the comfort zone. Feeling that he was inferior to Wavrinka in power, he began to shorten and throw Stan “candles”. And he did it very subtly and elegantly.

- Does it not seem to you that, among other things, Daniel is psychologically stable on the court itself, and this sometimes infuriates his opponents. That is, he does not stop losing parties, talking with judges, skirmishes with fans ...

- I would not say that it is stable and somehow can influence opponents in this aspect. I know him very well for too long. From childhood, Dania was easily excitable and broke rackets on the court. So he remained. Even in the current tournament, problems arose due to his incontinence. Yes, in the game he restrains impulsiveness, showing tactical readiness, but this does not mean stability at all.

- That is, you would prefer that he splashed out his emotions more intelligently and be aligned with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and not with Nick Kiryos?

- Not. Everyone decides how to behave. But I am sure that over time he will cope with all his problems. And now, Medvedev has become a little more restrained than before. His psychological weaknesses appear only against the background of fatigue. He knows that this interferes with him and spoils the relationship with the outside world, therefore he works with a psychologist.

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Publication by Medvedev Daniil (@ medwed33) Sep 3, 2019 at 5:12 am PDT

- Do you think that after Daniel’s apology, the public will support him in the semifinals with Grigor Dimitrov?

- I think that everything will be fine. Already during the meeting with Wavrinka, the reaction of the fans was quite normal and calm.

- The Bulgarian made a sensation in the quarter finals, removing Federer from his path, but Medvedev is considered the favorite. Why, in your opinion?

- I would generally say that now the US Open is largely interesting precisely because of Medvedev, because a new name has been opened in the world of tennis. Regardless of the results, Dania will already become the fourth racket of the world. Only Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are ahead. As for Dimitrov, he has not yet fully revealed himself and in the ranking is far from this four. But the game will not be easy, the Bulgarian is in shape and will strive to give a fight.

- In the game on the back line, Grigor does not exceed Daniel. Will he develop “Plan B”? How will the match turn out, in your opinion?

- I think he will change something in the course of the meeting. He always has both “Plan A” and “Plan B”. Yes, Dania is faster on the back line, but what will happen when the opponent starts to go to the net is not yet clear. We will watch and cheer for our tennis player.