Beaten Daniil Medevdev set to drop out of Top 10 nearly a year after being World No.1

Saturday, 21 January 2023 at 03:50

Updated at Saturday, 21 January 2023 at 02:12

byTom Grant

A crestfallen Daniil Medvedev insists he will 'find a way back' after defeat at the Australian Open meant he will drop out of the ATP Top 10.

The Russian arrived in Melbourne looking to reach his third final in a row but instead fell early for the third slam in a row with many wondering where his career goes from here after a disappointing 12 months.

Medvedev was outplayed and outclassed by a spirited Sebastian Korda on Friday night, with his straight sets defeat meaning he will drop to World No.12 - the first time he has been out of the Top 10 since July 2019.

And, speaking to reporters after the loss, the former US Open champion admitted he has to go back to the drawing board to find the spark to his game again.

He said:

“Right now I'm struggling a little bit to win these kinds of matches against opponents that can play at a good level. That's what I have to find back.”

Medvedev's form and confidence seemed to take a major hit after last year's final defeat to Rafael Nadal at the AO Final after being two sets to good over his Spanish opponent.

He managed just two Tour-level titles in 2022 (Los Cabos, Vienna) alongside three defeats at the end-of-season ATP Finals in Turin.

But the Russian isn't given up hope despite his Grand Slam slump and has vowed to hit the training court and climb back up the rankings.

He added:

“My shots are there, I'm doing the right thing. Today was a little bit different where he was on top of me all the time and I was trying to come back every set, trying to fight, trying to be there. That's why tennis is so tough because in the Top 30 everyone can beat everybody. Of course, the Top 10 are more consistent, and that's why I'm dropping down a little bit now but everyone can beat everybody.”