Daniil Medvedev with the Vienna Open title (Image - Daniil Medvedev's Twitter account)
With players building toward the first Grand Slam of 2023 at the Australian Open, Daniil Medvedev will be regarded as a serious contender for the tournament in Melbourne.
Building up levels of consistency in the Grand Slam events over the last couple of years, Medvedev has the game and now the experience to challenge for more major titles in 2023.
Any assault on the title at the Australian Open will require Medvedev to be in top shape and there were concerns regarding his fitness after the Russian was forced to pull out of the Astana Open at the start of October. Medvedev, who is priced at +275 in the tennis odds today to win the 2023 Australian Open, had to withdraw from his semi-final encounter with Novak Djokovic.
One of the favorites in tennis betting tips for most tournaments, Medvedev did not seem to be in too much discomfort after leaving the court against Djokovic. However, the 26-year-old confirmed he heard a “pop” in his adductor and took the precautionary steps to retire from the contest.
That decision might well have saved Medvedev a lengthier spell on the sidelines as it looks like he managed to avoid any serious damage. The Moscow star revealed he suffered a “medium strain” during the contest with Djokovic and was forced to retire for just the second time in his playing career due to a muscle problem. Having spent several weeks out on the sidelines earlier this year with a hernia injury, Medvedev rightly took no chances with his health at the Astana Open.
There will be plenty of excitement in the Medvedev camp on what he might be able to achieve next year if he can avoid any further injury setbacks. Medvedev already has a major title to his name, having won the 2021 US Open Championship at Flushing Meadows.
The right-hander almost managed to make it two Grand Slam titles on the bounce when he reached the final of the Australian Open at the start of this year. However, he fell at the final hurdle with a defeat over five sets to Spain’s Rafael Nadal.
Former world number one Medvedev went on to be knocked out of the following Grand Slam in the French Open by Croatia’s Marin Čilić, before missing out on Wimbledon. Finding consistency in the Grand Slams over the different surfaces is a challenge that few have been able to master.
Medvedev looks like he is starting to gain the experience needed to compete at that level alongside the likes of Djokovic and Nadal. That iconic pair are approaching the ends of their careers and Medvedev certainly appears to be in the group of the next generation looking to dominate once Djokovic and Nadal call it a day.
With his injury problems hopefully behind him, Medvedev will be looking to build up some form ahead of what should be another exciting season for this dynamic player.