Daniil Medvedev remains committed to tennis, insisting he still has a deep passion for the sport despite experiencing some recent setbacks. Despite the challenges he’s faced in the early part of this year, the former world No. 1 has no plans to hang up his racket anytime soon.
After a stellar 2023, where Medvedev claimed five ATP titles—including prestigious wins at Indian Wells and the Italian Open—he seemed poised for an even stronger 2024. His campaign began with a runner-up finish to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, coupled with a return to the final at Indian Wells. But as the season progressed, his form faltered. Medvedev was unable to reach another final, though he did manage semi-final runs at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Despite these solid performances, his momentum stalled in the latter half of the year, leading to a 46-21 record by season’s end.
The start of the 2024 season has not been kind either, with Medvedev posting a 2-2 record. His early losses to 19-year-old qualifier Learner Tien at the Australian Open and to another qualifier, Mattia Bellucci, in Rotterdam sparked rumors about his future in tennis. Some speculated that Medvedev might be losing his hunger for the game and could consider retirement. However, the 28-year-old has made it clear that he is far from stepping away from the sport.
In a candid statement during a post-match interview, Medvedev said, “I love tennis and I still win a lot of money. That’s not going to happen. I’ll keep playing as long as I can.” He further explained that only if he were to fall out of the top 100 would he reconsider his career. But he is confident that won’t happen anytime soon, adding, “I’m pretty sure I’ll come back strong enough.”
Currently ranked No. 7 in the ATP, Medvedev’s position in the top 50 is not in jeopardy at this point, though his struggles with consistency are evident. He has not managed to string together back-to-back victories since winning the Shanghai Masters in October 2023. The younger generation is catching up fast, and at 28, Medvedev is now one of the older players in the top 25, with only Novak Djokovic (37) and Grigor Dimitrov (33) surpassing him in age.
Despite these challenges, Medvedev’s financial success remains robust. In 2023, he earned a staggering $5,615,756, and so far this season, he has already pocketed $122,880 (excluding his results from Rotterdam). His career earnings now total $45,249,858, placing him sixth on the all-time list for career prize money. Given his ongoing success and his place in the rankings, it’s clear that Medvedev will continue adding to his impressive earnings for the foreseeable future.
Looking ahead, Medvedev is set to return to action in a couple of weeks, with plans to compete at the Qatar Open, followed by the Dubai Tennis Championships. While he may be going through a rough patch, his commitment to the sport remains steadfast, and he’s far from ready to walk away.