Daniil Medvedev says it might be better to play the week before a Grand Slam to get some wins, just like Novak Djokovic did before Roland Garros.
Traditionally, top players don’t compete the week before a major, choosing to arrive early at the tournament, get familiar with the courts and practice with their team without pushing too hard or risking injury.
However, this year Novak Djokovic took the unusual decision to play the week before Roland Garros in his home tournament in Belgrade.
The world number one revealed afterwards that the buzz and momentum he got from winning the warm-up tournament helped him lift the French Open trophy for the second time in his career.
Now Daniil Medvedev is hoping that tactic works for him ahead of Wimbledon by choosing to play in Mallorca the week before.
The world number two hoped to get the grass practice he needs at Halle, but lost in the first round to Jan-Lennard Struff, so is hoping Mallorca can give him the confidence he needs before the All England Championships.
“In Halle, I had three days of practice, which was definitely not enough to feel good,” Medvedev said.
“I lost my first round against a great player, so it [was] not easy, [and] that is why I decided to come to Mallorca to try and get some more matches.”
Medvedev is top seed in Mallorca which also includes Dominic Thiem, Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Bautista Agut.
“It is a really strong field here,” Medvedev said.
“Everyone said to Novak Djokovic, ‘Why are you going to Belgrade [the week before Roland Garros]?’ But he gained a lot of confidence there.
“I don’t think he played his best tennis there, but then he came and destroyed everyone at Roland Garros, so I think sometimes it can be good just to prepare ahead of a Grand Slam and win some matches.”
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