Yevgeny Kafelnikov, the 2000 Olympic tennis champion, spoke about the potential of Daniil Medvedev on the international stage. He believes Medvedev can stay in the race for top rankings throughout his career and keep competing at the highest level for years to come.
“Medvedev still has room to grow. He’s in his late twenties, physically at his peak, and he has plenty of time ahead to refine his game. Even with a wave of talented youngsters emerging, Medvedev has the tools to stay among the leaders. Why?” Kafelnikov asked, affirming his confidence in the Russian player’s long-term prospects.
In the latest ATP rankings, Medvedev remains in fourth position, while Carlos Alcaraz holds second place. Displacing him at the top is Novak Djokovic, who continues to lead, with Jannik Sinner knocking on the door in third.
The Indian Wells final on March 18 saw Medvedev face Alcaraz in an intense showdown. The match lasted one hour and forty-two minutes, finishing with Alcaraz victorious in straight sets, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. The pairing marked a familiar scene, as Medvedev had fallen to Alcaraz in the final of the same tournament in the previous season as well. This result added another chapter to Medvedev’s recent run of near-misses in big finals.
Earlier reports noted the atmosphere surrounding Medvedev during the Indian Wells final, including an intense crowd environment that night. The episode underscored the kind of high-pressure atmosphere Medvedev often faces in major events on the tour.