Roland Garros 2026: Medvedev Admits Game Has Changed After Exit
After a 5-set defeat to Adam Walton, Medvedev said he’s still good enough to compete even as Alcaraz and Sinner raise the bar on clay. His 7th first-round exit in Paris adds to recent Slam struggles.
“It's very tough for me to get the rhythm going. First round is the toughest one, and once I get through it, maybe I can do better...”
Daniil Medvedev said he would never skip the French Open, even after falling in the first round again. The loss to Australia’s Adam Walton marked his seventh opening-round exit in 10 appearances at Roland Garros, but he made clear that walking away from the clay Slam isn’t an option.
Medvedev lost a wild 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 match on Court Suzanne Lenglen. While the result stung, he said it might make him rethink his schedule in the week leading up to the tournament next year.
“I want to play Grand Slams. I know that I'm in good shape and I can play well at Roland Garros, as well. I can. It's just tougher for me ... I'll always come here,” Medvedev said.
“Maybe I should consider playing a tournament before. I usually don't do (that) before Grand Slams, but when it doesn't work, why not?
“So that's the only thing I will consider next year.”
Medvedev’s loss added to his recent struggles at the majors. He suffered three first-round exits at Slams last year. Still, he said he believes he’s good enough to compete, even though the game has changed a lot in recent years.
Players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have set a new standard with their baseline intensity and physicality. That shift has made it tougher for players like Medvedev to settle into their rhythm, especially on slower clay courts.
Adam Walton and Daniil Medvedev speaking to the media after their match today 🎙️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/rCZ56ZPvvk
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2026
“I think I'm still usually good in Grand Slams,” Medvedev insisted.
“Yes I can lose (in the) first round, but I don't think I've lost the ability to perform in Grand Slams. So I do think it can come back any moment, meaning at Wimbledon, for example.
“But again, if we talk in general about all the four Grand Slams, I think if we compared all four Grand Slams to five years ago, the game is different in these Grand Slams, and I don't think it suits me well.
“It's very tough for me to get the rhythm going. First round is the toughest one, and once I get through it, maybe I can do better.”
“But again, if we talk in general about all the four Grand Slams, I think if we compared all four Grand Slams to five years ago, the game is different in these Grand Slams, and I don't think it suits me well.
“It's very tough for me to get the rhythm going. First round is the toughest one, and once I get through it, maybe I can do better.”
No comments:
Leave comment here