Daniil Medvedev’s 2025 season has not unfolded as expected, prompting preparations for the upcoming clay-court events.
The Russian tennis player began his year at the Australian Open, where he faced an unexpected defeat against Learner Tien in the second round.
Following this setback, Medvedev suffered further losses to lower-ranked opponents including Mattia Bellucci, Hamad Medjedovic, and Tallon Griekspoor, showcasing difficulties in his performance.
His struggles continued at the Miami Open, where he was defeated by Spain’s Jaume Munar with scores of 2-6, 3-6.
Andy Roddick Critiques Medvedev’s Serve
Reflecting on Medvedev’s challenging start to the year, former ATP world number one Andy Roddick discussed concerns regarding Medvedev’s serve during his podcast, “Served with Andy Roddick.”
Roddick noted, “It’s surprising to see Medvedev not in the top ten; he typically feels like a constant in that region. While his baseline game seems unchanged, the real issue lies with his serve.”
“His percentage of service games held between 2021 and 2023 was notably high, ranging from 86 to 89%, but fell below 80% in 2024,” he added.
Medvedev’s Service Games Won Percentage
- 2025 – 82%
- 2024 – 79%
- 2023 – 88%
Roddick elaborated on the significance of this decline, stating that even a drop of six or seven percentage points in service game wins can greatly impact a player’s ranking and overall performance.
He emphasized, “When your serve percentage drops, you’re often forced to defend more, which increases pressure in matches.” Medvedev’s recent match statistics also reflected these struggles, with only 62.5% of his service games won during the match against Munar.
Prospects for Medvedev’s Clay-Court Season
Historically, Medvedev has faced challenges on clay courts, adding to the difficulty of turning his season around. However, he has also shown potential, having won significant tournaments on clay, including the 2023 Italian Open.
Despite this success, his record at the French Open has been less impressive, with only one quarter-final appearance in eight attempts.
As the 2025 French Open approaches on May 25, questions linger about Medvedev’s ability to improve his performance and regain his status among the elite in men’s tennis.
