Daniil Medvedev has never been one to pull any punches. The Russian tells it like it is, and on Sunday in his pre-tournament press conference at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters the No.2 seed told his truth about his feelings on clay: he just doesn’t like it.
“I’m not hiding this, I don’t like clay,” the World No.2 said. “I’m not going to South America, although I like to travel. I would like to go there once in my life, of course. But I’m not going to go there instead of Rotterdam, Marseille or Dubai. I’m not going to play on clay in South America during that time.”
Medvedev, who owns a 10-18 lifetime record on clay and a 0-4 record at Roland-Garros, actually reached the semifinals at Monte-Carlo in his last appearance in 2019. He even defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic to get there. The experience didn’t change his feelings about the red clay, but it might serve to give him some confidence on the surface.
“But especially after what happened two years ago, I know I can play well on this court,” he said. “Every time I practice on clay, after when I play my match, I try to do my best, but it’s difficult for me. I hope I’m going to have good results this year after the good work I’ve been doing.
“But honestly, there’s nothing I like on clay. There’s always bad bounces, you’re dirty after playing. I really don’t enjoy playing on clay.”