"I have no idea how I have done it" - Daniil Medvedev astounded by his own level after substandard 2022 season

Daniil Medvedev has made a strong start to the year after a forgetful 2022 season and has even exceeded his own expectations.

Medvedev was at the top of his game after defeating Novak Djokovic for the 2021 US Open title in straight sets. However, his confidence seemed to take a hit after he lost the 2022 Australian Open final from two sets up against Rafael Nadal.

The Russian could manage only two titles — in Vienna and Los Cabos — in 2022. At the year-end championships last year, the 27-year-old failed to win a single match in the group stage, losing to Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Djokovic in close contests.

However, Medvedev has turned things around in 2023 by winning 23 of his 27 matches so far, including a 19-match winning streak, which was recently ended by Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. After crashing out of the Australian Open in the third round, Medvedev won back-to-back titles in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai.

Speaking with ATP ahead of the 2023 Miami Open, the fifth-ranked player reflected on his 2022 season, saying that he had a bad match every now and then. He added that he was extremely happy with the improvement but had no clue how he managed to do it.

“I managed to get back in the zone, which I didn't really have for all of 2022 when I was less consistent,” the former World No. 1 said. “I would have some good matches or tournaments but out of nowhere, I would have one bad match. I've managed to avoid that for the past four weeks. I have no idea how I have done it, but I am really happy and want to continue.”

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"Carlos is deservedly World No. 1" - Daniil Medvedev

Carlos Alcaraz (L) and Daniil Medvedev

After beating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-2 in the 2023 Indian Wells final, Carlos Alcaraz regained the World No. 1 ranking.

Medvedev remarked that the young Spaniard deserved it since he had the highest number of points over the last year. He also brought Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal into the discussion as the two legends missed quite a few tournaments for different reasons.

"It's unfortunate Novak cannot play all the tournaments, and I'm sure everyone would love to see him play, because it's just good to see Novak play," Medvedev said. "But it is what it is, you know. Rafa is injured for some time. We also can say if Rafa would not be injured, he would be No. 1."

"Same about Novak," he added. "If he would be able to play last year and this year all the tournaments, there is a possibility that the rankings would be different. But... But, there shouldn't be no 'buts'. Carlos is deservedly World No. 1. He won more points than everybody else in last 52 weeks, and that's how rankings work."

Fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev received a bye in the first round of the 2023 Miami Open and will face either Roberto Carballes Baena or Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the Round of 64.