"It's Just Tennis," Medvedev Reacts to Early Exit at Roland Garros
For the sixth time in his career—after 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023—Daniil Medvedev has fallen in the first round at Roland Garros. Despite leading by a break in the fifth set, the Russian, who served for the match, ultimately lost to Cameron Norrie (7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6, 7-5) and finds little comfort, having not won a single tournament since Rome two years ago.
In a press conference following his latest defeat, the world No. 11 in the ATP rankings reflected on his loss to a resilient British player, who managed to play his best tennis in the crucial moments.
"I couldn’t pull through. I mean, it was a very tight match, a good battle. I’m disappointed to lose. He played well, and as for me, it wasn’t enough. I know my career is long, so I’ve also won matches like this.
It’s just tennis. This year, I’ve lost maybe three matches where I served for the win, and it happened again in this one. I need to do better next time. Today, I didn’t have luck on my side. There’s nothing I can do—I just have to prepare for the next time.
I’ve lost three times here in the first round in five sets. It’s always the same story. Of course, I’m disappointed to lose, but I still have 10 tournaments left this year, or maybe 12, I don’t know. I need to try to play them well.
The first round isn’t the final. It’s not the same energy, not the same feeling. It depends. For example, the match against Rafa (Nadal, in the 2022 Australian Open final) hurt me a lot.
The one against Jannik (Sinner, in the 2024 Australian Open final) didn’t, because I was dead tired and he played well. The goal is to earn points, to be in the top 4 or top 8, because that’s important for the draws," he told *Punto De Break*.
French Open 
