Daniil Medvedev explains why Alcaraz and Sinner dominate ATP

While Medvedev hasn’t found much success in terms of wins against either player, he’s still managed more than most have.

His latest win came against Alcaraz at Indian Wells, marking his first victory over him in three years.

Speaking to ABC, Medvedev explained what sets Alcaraz and Sinner apart from the rest of the field.

“Their [Alcaraz and Sinner] strength lies in the fact that they almost always play at their best, even if they don’t always show it. But that means that when they do drop their level, it’s only slightly lower,” he said.

“And that’s why they beat everyone. In my case, on the other hand, my level fluctuates more. So I hope to find my best form again and try to beat them. They’re very far ahead of everyone right now.

“Perhaps in terms of consistency, Zverev might be a little closer. And that’s why he’s ranked third in the world. But even so, it’s difficult for him to beat them. And they’re still there at the top. So, for now, the difference is enormous.”

Sinner has focused on improving his serve to a significant degree now which makes it much tougher for opponents like Medvedev to counter his plays while Alcaraz leans more into his shot power especially on forehand side topped with quick dropshots underlining another edge both players hold over others.

How Medvedev has fared against Alcaraz and Sinner

Medvedev stands out from much of the ATP Tour field in that he has put together multiple wins over both Sinner and Alcaraz.

The Russian holds three victories in nine meetings with Alcaraz and has come out on top in seven of his 16 encounters with Sinner.

But a closer look at their more recent head-to-head results highlights just how much ground Medvedev has to make up. He’s only won once in his last five matches against Alcaraz, with that sole win coming at Indian Wells this year.

Sinner, meanwhile, has dominated their recent meetings, winning nine of their last 10 matches since the start of the 2023 season.

Most of Medvedev’s success against Sinner came early in the Italian’s career. He won their first six matchups, including finals in Rotterdam and Miami.