Daniil Medvedev is the best player on the ATP circuit, the Russian has already won four tournaments in 2023 (Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai and Miami). The former world leader will make his clay court debut at the Monte Carlo Masters and coach Patrick Mouratoglou has tried to explain why he is struggling on terre battue.

Danylo Medvedev does not feel comfortable on the ground

Muratoglu, who recently parted ways with Holger Roon, believes Medvedev struggles to move around on clay and his favorite jab doesn’t work as well on the surface (which Daniil has repeatedly said he hates).

“I think that Daniil Medvedev has such a hard time on clay for two main reasons. The first is mental. He decided that slop was not for him, and he said it a hundred times. You can’t achieve anything great if you think you’re bad at it.

Secondly, there are also technical reasons. It does not move well on clay. I think he can learn. Of course he can learn. But for now he feels uncomfortable. It is difficult to get a foothold on the field to be able to make the best shot. And if you look at his game, it’s very dynamic.

And secondly, it’s the quality of the ball on the ground, when you play straight, the ball is not so low and it’s easier to attack. I think his forehand is good on clay, but his backhand (which is usually his main stroke) is not so good.” – Patrick Muratoglu on Instagram.

>> The best player is afraid of what will happen next on the ATP circuit: “I’m already mentally preparing”

5th Monte Carlo Masters favorite Daniil Medvedev will face Lorenzo Sonego winner and qualifier in the second round.

The Russian’s best result in the Principality is reaching the semi-finals of the 2019 draw (he lost to Dušan Lajović).

>> VIDEO Stage of the day: How Daniil Medvedev likes to play on clay

Check out this Instagram post

A post shared by COACH (@patrickmouratoglou)