cnn
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Daniil Medvedev revealed one of the reasons behind his incredible form this year after winning the Italian Open: new racket strings.
The Russian world number 2 has been using a different version of Technifbre strings and said the change in his game has been “incredible” since making the switch before the Australian Open.
He has already won five titles this year – the most in his career – and Sunday's 7-5, 7-5 victory against Denmark's Holger Rune in the Italian Open final marked the first trophy he has captured on clay.
“I think the ropes help me… because they are softer, so the ball passes easier,” Medvedev told reporters after defeating Rune.
“Immediately in Australia, where I lost, my coach and I said, 'Wow, I have easy depth with the ball, which is incredible.'”
“In Australia, it didn't work. I was 100% doubting myself. Should I go back to the old ones, was I playing well with them? I said no, let's try more. Now it's incredible.”
After a delay of one hour and 40 minutes due to rain in Rome, Medvedev battled through a tight first set against Rune, saving two break points at 2-2 before securing the crucial break at 6-5 when he raced to the net and pounced on a drop shot.
Rune, 20, responded with two breaks in the second set to take a 5-3 lead, but from there Medvedev asserted his dominance from the bottom and won the next four games to secure the victory.
Having won most of his titles, including his US Open triumph in 2021, on hard courts, the clay-court victory at the Italian Open is a defining moment for the 27-year-old Medvedev.
Following Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from the French Open last week, the second Grand Slam of the calendar year is difficult to predict with World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and 22-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic leading the men's singles draw.
But Medvedev, who has never made it past the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, will feel confident. He had to defeat the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev during his Italian Open campaign and has moved up five places in the men's rankings this year.
“This one is special because I didn't think it was going to be able to happen, (that I was going to) be able to achieve it,” he said of his last title.
“I still don't believe it, not that I won it, but that I played so well this week. I don't believe it. The way I played, I'm very happy. Happy to have this trophy home in some time.”
The French Open takes place from May 28 to June 11 and Medvedev, whose groundstrokes seem more powerful than ever, has emerged as a strong contender.
