World No.2 Daniil Medvedev jokingly pleaded with a tournament supervisor to disqualify him from the Italian Open, the latest in a string of disastrous performances from the Russian on clay courts.<\/p>\n
Medvedev was beaten comfortably by Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev, 6-2, 6-4, meaning he's now won just one of his last nine matches on clay.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old has never won a match in Rome, losing in the opening round to Robin Haase in 2018 and Nick Kyrgios in 2019.<\/p>\n
"I don't want to play here on this surface," he shouted during his loss to Karatsev.<\/p>\n
"It's a rotten surface, how can I not swear? If you like to be in the mud like a dog, good for you."<\/p>\n
Medvedev then told tournament supervisor Gerry Armstrong: "I don't want to be here.<\/p>\n
"Gerry, please default me, it would be better for everybody."<\/p>\n
Medvedev's struggles on clay have become something of a running joke in the sport, with the Russian having won just 11 of his 31 career matches on the surface.<\/p>\n
Yet based on his current world ranking, he'd be the second seed for Roland Garros later this month, ahead of 13-time champion Rafael Nadal, who has lost just three matches in 16 years in Paris.<\/p>\n
In complete contrast, Medvedev, a finalist at both the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open, has not advanced beyond the first round at Roland Garros in four appearances.<\/p>\n
"I think my shots, my movement, and my physical appearance doesn't suit clay," Medvedev said last week.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
"I play on hard courts or grass courts for for eight months in a row and then I have this clay court scene for two months. First week when I come on clay, I hate everything around me.<\/p>\n
"Then I get used to it, and it starts to be better. The big thing that motivates me is that I know I am capable of winning matches."<\/p>\n
Medvedev enjoyed a brief period of success on clay in 2019, reaching the final in Barcelona and the semi-finals in Monte Carlo, a run that included a three-set win over Novak Djokovic.<\/p>\n
It's a clear sign that he has the game to compete on clay, if he can get the mental side right.<\/p>\n
"Two years ago, I beat some really good guys, and so I know that I am capable," he said.<\/p>\n
"[I] Just need to find this confidence and feeling which is tougher for me to find on clay than on hard courts."<\/p>\n
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