Being 6’6” means Daniil Medvedev can set his sights high at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open. The finalist this year at the Australian Open and in Indian Wells is a hard-court specialist, but before playing his opener in the Caja Mágica he warned that he has plenty of room for improvement on clay.

“I like playing on clay courts more and more every year. I enjoy it. I know my game is a little bit more limited than on hard courts, where I know I’ll win 90% of matches if I play good”, revealed the former US Open champion (2021).

Last year in the Spanish capital, he provided significant proof of that perseverance, reaching the fourth round for the first time before going on to claim the Masters 1000 crown in Rome. “I know what to do from my side and I’m trying to be confident about it. I love the city of Madrid and I’m happy to be back trying to feel ready for this tournament”, explained Medvedev.

The third seed will play his MMOPEN opener on Saturday against the winner of the clash between Australia’s Christopher O’Connell and the Italian Matteo Arnaldi. “I am enjoying myself more and more and getting good results and victories. Honestly I think I can do big things on clay. That is the only reason I want to win more tournaments like last year in Rome and I will try to do better in Roland Garros and now in Madrid”, he declared.

Asked about his first memories of Nadal, Medvedev talked about the Spaniard’s early days. “I remember him playing against Richard Gasquet, when they were 17 and both playing like superstars. Then Nadal won the French Open”, said the world No. 4, who described Nadal as someone “who fights for every point, believing until the last moment. Tennis will miss him when he stops playing”.

On the retirement of another local hero, Garbiñe Muguruza, Medvedev was also full of praise. “She is a fighter and a good player. I remember when I played my first Australian Open junior and she made semifinals when nobody expected it. She won two Grand Slam titles and had a good career. Hopefully she can enjoy life now and I wish her all the best”, he concluded.