World No. 4 Daniil Medvedev’s 2020 season was failing to live up to his 2019 before being salvaged by wins at the Paris Masters and the World Tour Finals in quick succession. While he did not make a second major final, Medvedev’s year is more encouraging than it might seem at first glance. The 24-year-old Russian recorded wins over Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Dominic Thiem — in the same tournament. He took part in arguably the best men’s match of the year against Djokovic at the ATP Cup in January. He demonstrated his fitness and tactical awareness against the world’s best at the O2 Arena in London. His tennis on clay remains disappointing, as does his major-to-major consistency, but there is much Daniil Medvedev can take away from his year.
Medvedev is a thoroughly unique player. His game features the unusual blend of a powerful serve and impressive movement from the baseline. He defends extremely well, making use of his speed and long wingspan to cover all corners of the court. His backhand is unfailing in its consistency; he is one of the few that can engage in crosscourt rallies from the ad side with Nadal or Djokovic and not emerge battered and bruised. His forehand is far from being one of the world’s best, to put it kindly, but Medvedev utilizes the shot well. While it can’t fire winners prolifically, the Russian can deliver one-two punches set up by his serve and his forehand doesn’t often break down from the baseline. He hits it well on the run, and his defensive squash shot off that wing often yields a tough passing shot should his opponent approach the net. Given the results of the World Tour Finals, during which Medvedev tired out Djokovic, Nadal, and Thiem by engaging them in exhausting baseline rallies, one could reasonably call the Russian the fittest player on the ATP.
Yet Medvedev’s most distinct ability may be his willingness to change tactics mid-match. He shows a rare strategic mobility, especially when under pressure. The first high-profile example of this came against Djokovic in the semifinal of the Western & Southern Open in 2019. After being outplayed for a set and a half by the legendary Serb, Medvedev trailed 3-6, 3-3, love-30. After fighting back to 30-all with two winners, he crushed an ace down the middle after missing his first delivery. His first break point of the match came in the following game, and Medvedev claimed it with a fierce backhand return winner. More massive second serves rained down on Djokovic for the rest of the match, and when the dust settled, Medvedev had won nine of the last twelve games of the semifinal to advance: 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
In the final in London against a red-hot Dominic Thiem, Medvedev again saw himself fall behind after a set and a half, but responded by frequently rushing the net in the second frame, eventually winning it in a tiebreak. Medvedev isn’t known for his volleys, but they are solid enough to be of use when the Russian demands it. Against Thiem, his net play helped keep him in the match long enough to tire out his opponent deep in the third set, which Medvedev claimed 6-4.
Medvedev has displayed some remarkable resistance when matches seem lost. Djokovic served for their ATP Cup match at 5-4 and built a 30-love lead, but Medvedev fired winners off both wings (including an inside-out backhand to save match point), turning the game into a brutal scrap. Djokovic claimed it in the end, but not before having to save a trio of break points, one with a scarcely believable stab volley. Similarly, from a double break down in the fifth set of the 2019 U.S. Open final against Nadal, Medvedev saved a pair of championship points and earned a break point for 5-all (and this was after he dragged the match to a fifth from two sets and a break down!). Again, he lost narrowly, but the will to prolong a match is clear in his play, even when facing seemingly insurmountable deficits against top players.
Medvedev still stands to improve significantly. He is yet to beat Nadal, Djokovic, or Thiem in a major, or to make deep runs at Roland-Garros or Wimbledon — his rallying prowess and powerful serve, at least in theory, should serve him well at the channel majors. He has never won a five-set match, a shock considering his physical endurance. Medvedev has time to make these steps, though; he is the youngest man in the top four and his best years are likely ahead of him.
Even if this is untrue, Medvedev’s career has already been impressive. His stamina has impressed time and again; Djokovic hunching over in fatigue is now practically a fixture in his matches with Medvedev. He hungers for attritional rallies like no newcomer the ATP Tour has seen in some time. His game is a strange blend of strokes, full of unexpected strategic quirks. It is rarely beautiful to watch, but it is often impressive. And regardless of Medvedev’s future on tour, it has already proven to be a recipe for success.