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World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev has hit the practice courts for the first time since undergoing a small procedure to address a hernia issue plaguing him in recent months.
The Russian posted a video of his practice session on Instagram:
The 25-year-old has been out of action since suffering a quarter-final exit to Hubert Hurkacz in the Miami quarterfinals.
The Russian has missed the first few weeks of the claycourt season and might not be ready in time for the Madrid Masters. Realistically, he could make his return in Rome or at Roland Garros. However, the Rome Masters is likely to take a cue from Wimbledon and bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing, owing to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There is no such ban at Roland Garros, though.
Medvedev has very few points to defend during the claycourt swing as he made the Roland Garros quarterfinals last year after winning only one match between Madrid and Rome. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if he will return during the clay swing.
Daniil Medvedev's 2022 season so far
Daniil Medvedev has had a memorable 2022 campaign thus far. After winning three of his four matches for Russia in the ATP Cup, Medvedev continued his good form at the Australian Open.
The Russian was up two sets and multiple break points in the final against Nadal as he sought to become the first player to win their first two Grand Slam titles in consecutive tournaments.
However, with Medvedev on the cusp of creating history, Nadal scripted a turnaround for the ages. The 35-year-old eventually won 7-5 in the fifth to win a record 21st Grand Slam singles title.
A few weeks later, the Russian lost to the Spaniard in the Acapulco semifinals. However, his run to the last four made Medvedev the World No. 1 for a brief period, ending Novak Djokovic's long reign atop the rankings. Following an early exit at Indian Wells, Medvedev could have regained the No. 1 ranking by making the Miami semis, but he exited in the last eight to Hurkacz.
