World No.5 Daniil Medvedev has set his sights on regaining his “disrupter” mantle in 2025 as he attempts to turn the tables on generation next stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Medvedev failed to win a single title last year, with Alcaraz and Sinner proving particularly troublesome to his hopes of landing a crown.
Sinner defeated Medvedev in five of their six meetings in 2024, including the Australian Open final when he came from two sets behind to claim a famous victory.
Alcaraz beat Medvedev in all three of their meetings last year, including in the Wimbledon semi-final and the final of Indian Wells.
Medvedev won the US Open in 2021, famously stopping Novak Djokovic from achieving a calendar-year grand slam.
It helped give Medvedev the disrupter moniker.
But his hopes of adding to his sole grand slam success – and winning other titles along the way – are now being severely compromised by Alcaraz and Sinner.
It’s a situation he wants to remedy.
“I was less of a disrupter (in 2024) because Carlos and Jannik were beating me a lot of times,” Medvedev 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 disrupter, because it means that I will be able to get to these later stages and win them.
“Again, at this moment they’re clearly the favourites, and that’s normal. I try to develop something, and let’s see if it works.”
Medvedev hasn’t played a lead-in tournament ahead of the Australian Open.
Instead, the 28-year-old, who recently became a father for the second time, has been spending time with family while training hard.
It’s the same formula he used before reaching last year’s Australian Open final.
“The preparation was great,” Medvedev said.
“I felt like it was one of the best pre-seasons I (had). Last year I (did) the same, no tournaments.
“I feel like I’m at the age where I want to be at home. I think the season starts too early.
“I don’t see myself ever playing something before Australian Open because I really like to spend this time with my family, which is growing.”
Medvedev begins his Australian Open campaign on Monday against world No.414 Kasidit Samrej.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au