Daniil Medvedev defeated Gael Monfils in his first match of the Monte Carlo Masters, i.e., in the round of 32. The Russian won the match 6-2, 6-4, and gave the Frenchman no chance at all to make a comeback. However, once the match was over, he was upset about losing a particular game in the second set over a wrong decision.
In fact, during the match, the Russian got into a pretty heated altercation with the match umpire due to this. Daniil Medvedev won the first set pretty convincingly and also got an early lead in the second set.
However, in a particular game, when a shot by Gael Monfils got out of the baseline, the umpire ruled that it was inside. He thus gave the point to Monfils, and it cost Medvedev the game.
The Russian kept on shouting at the umpire that the ball was outside. The chair umpire tried to explain it to him, but the Russian was adamant. After the match was over, however, he apologized to the umpire, who in turn replied that Hawkeye was perhaps mistaken.
I’m happy I managed to, at one moment, try to stay calm. To get that composure. That’s what I wanted to do more this year. There’s still gonna be moments when I get crazy. Let’s see.. But I’m 99% sure the ball was out. Let’s see what Hawkeye says. Said in the on-court interview after the match was over
When he was informed that the Hawkeye said that it was out, he sighed and replied that it was probably not even that close.
It’s a pity because I would’ve won the game. He said
Notably, it shows the level of his competitiveness.
Daniil Medvedev says the defense can not win him titles
Upon being asked about whether a defensive approach can win someone titles in tennis like it often does in team sports, Daniil Medvedev denied it.
Citing the example of Rafael Nadal, he said that it is particularly impossible on clay. Rafa has an amazing defense, and thus some people might have this misconception, but they disregard that he also has an insane offense. He also said that his approach against Gael Monfils was extremely tactical because the Frenchman loved to sit back and defend.
I think it cannot, especially on clay. For example we talk about Rafa, who’s amazing on defense, but where he’s also amazing if you give him an easy ball on the forehand you know it’s over for you. But when you play Gael he’s very very good in defense. Sometimes you’re scared to attack him because that’s what he loves doing. So yeah. It was a tactical game here and there. I felt like I played good where I could defend well but also not give him too easy of balls where he could hit winners. Daniil Medvedev said
He faced Karen Khachanov in the round of 16 of the Monte Carlo Masters, where he suffered an upset.
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