Published: 11:42, March 25, 2021 | Updated: 21:31, June 4, 2023
World No 2 'just gives me some energy,' says Medvedev
By Xinhua

In this Feb 21, 2021 photo, Russia's Daniil Medvedev hits a return against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their men's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. (WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

WASHINGTON - Having come as world number two and top seed at the Miami Open, Russian star Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday said he feels no added pressure and the ranking gives him "some energy boost."

Daniil Medvedev, who won three titles of the Masters events, will play either US player Sam Querrey or Lu Yen-Hsun of Chinese Taipei in his opening match in the Miami Open

Last Monday, the Russian became the first player other than Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray to be ranked in the top two since 2005.

"It's been already one week, I could feel maybe pressure, and I feel like it just gives me some energy boost," Medvedev said. "I just want to play better and better to prove to myself I deserve this and hopefully I can show some great tennis in Miami."

"Definitely being top seed for a Masters event, especially this one in Miami, being No 2 in the world, I'm enjoying the moment. I don't feel the pressure except for the pressure that I like to win matches and I want to win every tournament I play," the 25-year-old added.

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"Since I was young this pressure always stays with me, but I feel like it's a good competitive pressure. I don't really feel pressure from the outside because I know that if I play good I have my chances to win the tournaments and that's the most important."

The Russian also said his ranking breakthrough bolstered his belief that he belonged among the elite and his ascent to world number two did not come out of the blue.

"To be honest, everything changed since long time ago," he said. "I became more mature in terms of tennis, in terms of life also. I worked a lot on the practice court, improved big time my tennis, my physicality for sure, my mental strength. All of these small details, they count."

Medvedev, who won three titles of the Masters events, will play either US player Sam Querrey or Lu Yen-Hsun of Chinese Taipei in his opening match in Miami.