ATP Tour

Medvedev: 'My best was not enough'

Always a straight shooter, Daniil Medvedev pulled no punches on Monday after his fourth-round exit at Roland Garros. After Alex de Minaur advanced with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 victory, the fifth seed gave a simple explanation for the result.

"Alex played better," he said. "To be honest, I'm disappointed to lose, but I don't have anything to tell myself in a tough way like I was not [showing] a good attitude today or I was not fighting until the end. I did all of this. He played better. My best was not enough today, so looking forward to the next ones."

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While Medvedev received treatment for a blister on his foot during the match, he said the visit from the physio was more preventative and did not impact his movement on the court. Rather than focus on that, the 28-year-old credited De Minaur after their ninth Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

"Today he played, in my opinion, probably the best match we played," the No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings said after their first clay meeting. "It's a different surface, but I watched his matches on clay this year to try to see which tactic to play, et cetera. I didn't see him play like this. He was missing more.... His serve today, he was serving better than most guys I played on clay, so that was surprising. Today he improved, like, big time in every aspect.

"Then it comes to the point where we know that Alex can beat anyone. I think he did already beat Novak... Rafa. But then it's a question of whether you're ready to do it week in, week out, and become No. 1 in the world, No. 2 in the world, No. 3 in the world. He's close there, so he's a top player."

Now that Medvedev is out of the tournament, he was asked who he thought would win the title in Paris. Reluctantly, he named two players — relying on recent statistics and the PIF ATP Rankings to make his selections.

"Very, very tough to say," he began. "Well, you know, I always think predictions are a little bit disrespectful, because when you say someone, it's like you're a bit underestimating the other guys.

"But I would say that statistically — well, I saw Novak struggling with his leg or something, so this, I don't know. At the moment seeing Novak struggling with his leg, I would say Carlos or Jannik because they are both playing good. Jannik had a tough one yesterday, managed to come back. So it's just, statistically, they both have a Slam, they have experience. They are top two, three in the world, so my opinion, Carlos or Jannik. But let's see."