Despite breaking through for his first major title at last year’s US Open, World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev is taking nothing for granted. More Grand Slam glory will take more hard work, more improvement.
The Russian was impressive in his first Grand Slam match since his US Open triumph, defeating Switzerland’s Henri Laaksonen 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(3) on Tuesday. But it was just the first of what the 25-year-old hopes is a seven-step process leading to the trophy ceremony on Rod Laver Arena 12 days from now.
“I always try to look for how can I become either better or keep the level,” said Medvedev after the match, “but in my opinion you can only try to improve and that’s how you can keep the high level going.
“I know what I have to do before the match, after the match, one day before the match, to feel good. That’s what I’m trying to reproduce.”
Medvedev did acknowledge that coming to the Australian Open a Grand Slam winner has given him extra belief in his ability…