By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday March 9, 2023
Like all tennis players, Daniil Medvedev is searching for ways to shore up any loose ends in his game. The Russian said he recently switched strings in order to perform better in slow conditions, and while he was filled with doubts after making the change, those worries are behind him now.
Speaking to reporters at the BNP Paribas Open, where he is slated to face American Brandon Nakashima in the second round, Medvedev talked a bit about the changes he made.
“I also changed my strings this year to try to be better on these slow conditions and when you change something with a tennis player you are always doubting so believe me I was doubting a lot before Rotterdam and now I am much more confident,” he said.
Medvedev was asked about why he has had so much success in his return games of late, and again he brought up the strings.
“We always work on everything with my coach but we didn’t specifically work on the return,” he said. “Again I do think the strings, I changed them so now the ball goes even easier from my racquet and I don’t feel like I lost a lot of control. It could help, because especially with my deep position now I can get more easy power to put the ball longer so at least my opponent can’t attack me.”
It is not clear exactly when he switched strings, or what strings he is using, but we’ll work to get that information from Medvedev soon.
Medvedev comes into Indian Wells riding a 14-match winning streak, having won titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai. He is 6-5 lifetime in the California desert, and lost last year in the third round to Gael Monfils.