Medvedev: I Don’t Need Zverev To Believe I Can Win Slams
Medvedev: I Don’t Need Zverev To Believe I Can Win Slams
After a straight-sets win over Merida Aguilar, the two-time major finalist reasserts his Slam credentials—without relying on rivals like Zverev or Alcaraz to validate his path.
Daniil Medvedev arrived at Wimbledon with a reputation for early exits at majors, but the two-time finalist is acting like a title threat again. The Russian dismissed any suggestion that Alexander Zverev’s breakthrough victory should reset expectations for the rest of the field. “I believe I can win another Grand Slam regardless of what others do,” Medvedev said after a straight-sets win over Daniel Merida Aguilar that sent him into the third round.
His focus remains on his own ceiling, not chasing the current crop led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Medvedev’s path to the All England Club’s second week required a reminder of his best form. Against Merida Aguilar, the 28-year-old dropped just five games, extending his grass-court winning streak to six matches.
The victory snapped a run of Slam disappointments—three consecutive early exits at majors dating back to the 2023 US Open—while reinforcing his belief that when he’s at his sharpest, the biggest trophies are within reach. Rankings consistency matters, Medvedev acknowledged, but it’s secondary to major hardware. “I’m not here to collect points,” he said.
” His stance contrasts with the narrative that the next Slam breakthrough must come from someone outside the Alcaraz-Sinner axis, a notion Zverev’s Paris triumph briefly amplified. Medvedev’s camp framed the win as proof his game adapts when he trusts his process. “Daniil’s been clear: he doesn’t need external validation to believe he can lift a trophy,” a spokesperson said.
The statement underscores a philosophy that prioritizes peak performance over peer comparisons. The psychological edge Medvedev displayed against Merida Aguilar wasn’t just about the scoreboard. His serve, typically a liability on grass, was clinical—14 aces and 73% first-serve points won.
That reliability under pressure marked a departure from his recent Slam struggles, where inconsistent serving had been a recurring theme. The win also came on the heels of a grass-court tune-up in Stuttgart, where he reached the semifinals with a similar level of dominance, suggesting his preparation is aligning with his ambition. Grass has historically been the surface where Medvedev’s aggressive baseline game finds its purest expression.
His ability to flatten out his forehand and dictate rallies from the back of the court makes him a natural fit for the faster courts. This Wimbledon run is the first time in four years he’s entered a major with a grass-court win streak of this length, a streak that now stands at six matches and counting. The surface’s unpredictability—where serves matter less and rallies can turn in an instant—plays to his strengths when he’s executing at a high level.
Medvedev’s resurgence also comes at a time when the ATP’s top tier is more vulnerable than ever. Alcaraz and Sinner, despite their rankings, have yet to dominate Wimbledon, with neither reaching the final in previous editions. Zverev’s Paris win, while impressive, doesn’t translate to grass-court mastery, leaving the door ajar for a player like Medvedev who thrives on unpredictability.
His ability to exploit the surface’s quirks—low bounces, quick points—could neutralize the strengths of his higher-ranked rivals. Historically, Medvedev’s Slam successes have come when he’s entered tournaments under the radar. His 2021 US Open title, for instance, followed a string of underwhelming results, much like his current form.
This pattern suggests he performs best when expectations are tempered, allowing him to dictate matches on his terms. Wimbledon’s early rounds have already seen upsets, and Medvedev’s ability to navigate chaos could be his greatest asset in a draw where consistency is rare. What’s next: Medvedev faces either Grigor Dimitrov or Jordan Thompson in the fourth round.
A win would set up a potential clash with Alcaraz or Sinner, offering a chance to reaffirm his Slam credentials on tennis’s biggest stage. Read at Ubitennis
Why this matters
Medvedev’s resurgence at Wimbledon signals a shift in the ATP landscape. After a year of Slam underachievement, his refusal to defer to rivals like Zverev or the Alcaraz-Sinner duopoly suggests he’s betting on his own peak rather than chasing trends. If grass continues to suit him, the draw’s unpredictability could hand him a second major before the field realizes the threat is real. His renewed serve confidence and grass-court pedigree make him a dark horse in a draw where no one is safe—least of all the top seeds who’ve already been tested by the surface’s quirks.
Frequently asked
How many straight sets did Medvedev win against Merida Aguilar?
Medvedev won in straight sets, dropping just five games in total during the match.
What was Medvedev’s last Slam result before Wimbledon?
He suffered three consecutive early exits at majors, starting with the 2023 US Open and continuing through the 2024 Australian Open and French Open.
Who did Medvedev reference when talking about rivals’ Slam success?
He specifically called out Alexander Zverev’s French Open win as an example of external success he doesn’t need to validate his own Slam chances.
How many grass-court wins has Medvedev strung together?
The win over Merida Aguilar extended his grass-court winning streak to six matches.
Who are the current top-ranked players Medvedev mentioned?
Medvedev alluded to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as the current leaders in the rankings, though he framed his Slam belief as independent of their success.
How did Medvedev’s serve perform against Merida Aguilar?
He fired 14 aces and won 73% of first-serve points, a stark contrast to his serving struggles in recent majors.
