Daniil Medvedev climbed to second place in the world rankings ahead of the French Open, after claiming the title at the Italian Open in Rome on Sunday. The Russian player stated that his "unexpected victory on clay courts is one of his best wins in the game." Prior to heading to Rome, Medvedev had won 18 out of 19 titles on hard courts, including the 2021 US Open.
The player, who had previously revealed his dislike for clay courts, showcased a different performance on this surface in Rome, finishing the tournament with a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Denmark's Holger Rune. When asked how he ranks this win among his previous victories, Medvedev told reporters: "In a way, it is number one because it's my first on clay, and that’s unbelievable."
He added: "I never imagined I would achieve this. I must be honest, the Grand Slams are always more important, so number one will always be the US Open title." He continued: "This title is exceptional because I didn't think it would happen. I still can't believe it, not just because I won, but because I also played significantly well."
He also revealed that "using new techniques this year helped him improve his level on clay courts."
