“I don’t want to be a robot”: Daniil Medvedev explains ‘win-win’ mindset after Miami Open victory

Daniil Medvedev continued his strong start to the 2026 season with a hard-fought opening win at the Miami Open, overcoming Japan’s Rei Sakamoto in three sets, 6-7(10), 6-3, 6-1. The former World No. 1 recovered from a slow start and a lengthy first-set tiebreak to reassert control, extending a run that has seen him win 10 of his last 11 matches.

The result follows a productive swing for Medvedev, who returned to the top 10 after reaching the Indian Wells final. The Russian defeated World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz en route, ending the Spaniard’s 16-match winning streak, before falling to Jannik Sinner in a final decided by two tiebreaks. He also claimed the title in Dubai earlier in the season, reinforcing a period of consistent form.

Miami presents a different challenge, both in surface speed and environmental conditions, compared to Indian Wells. While the Californian desert has traditionally disrupted Medvedev’s rhythm, this season marked a departure, as he adapted effectively and carried that confidence into Florida.

A former champion in Miami in 2023, Medvedev is again among the contenders in this year’s draw. As the No. 9 seed, he will next face Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndolo, the No. 18 seed, with the opportunity to build further momentum in a tournament where he has previously thrived.

Medvedev highlighted the transition from Indian Wells to Miami as a key factor in his opening-round performance. Despite arriving with confidence from his run in California, he acknowledged that adapting to the new conditions required adjustments, particularly in rally dynamics.

He noted that while he would not definitively describe the Miami courts as slower, the change from the “fast and dry air” of Indian Wells altered how points developed. As he put it, it “felt slower in the rallies,” even though both players were serving effectively and holding comfortably through much of the match.

“In the rallies, the first set I was not getting my rhythm," Medvedev claimed in Tennis Channel. "So even if I made one or two shots that would put him in trouble, I couldn’t finish it off and then made him come back into the point again and again. And then he was good in turning it around and making a winner, a volley winner and something like this.”

As the match progressed, Medvedev found solutions, increasing the weight and depth of his shots to gain control. He described how he “managed to find more juice” later in the match, which allowed him to create more pressure and wear down his opponent physically.

“More until the end of the match, end of the second set, I managed to find more juice on my shots which helped me to put him in tougher spots, make him more tired, get more confidence in my shots.”

Medvedev’s recent form has been underpinned by a clear sense of confidence, which he links directly to his performances in Indian Wells. Despite the disappointment of losing in the final, he described the tournament as “great” and emphasised the value of competing closely with top-ranked opponents.

He pointed to his level against Sinner as evidence that he is “in good shape right now,” reinforcing his belief that he can continue producing strong results in Miami. This confidence also translates into a consistent approach to equipment, where he avoids unnecessary adjustments.

“No, I prefer usually not to. And when I play well, I don’t really play around anything," the fomrer world No. 1 said. "I even usually keep the same tension. And again, you can see me, I don’t change the racket for new balls because I don’t feel like my tension is getting loose. So why would I change? And I never, never do.”

Beyond technical and tactical considerations, Medvedev also offered insight into his broader mindset on tour, particularly regarding how he manages the demands of a long season. He described his perspective as a “win-win situation,” even in scenarios where results do not go his way.

According to Medvedev, tournaments like Miami offer value regardless of outcome, whether through competitive success or opportunities to prepare for upcoming events. This outlook reflects a more balanced approach to performance and recovery across the calendar.

“I’m also someone who always tries to think about a win-win situation. There are a couple of tournaments on tour where it’s tough to see this win-win situation. But if you’re in Miami and you lose early, you have more time to prepare clay and you have time to spend a good time in Miami. But if you play good in the tournament, it’s great because that’s what you are here for.”

He also addressed the importance of maintaining a balance between professional responsibilities and personal life, noting that he does not aim to operate in a purely mechanical, tennis-focused routine. Instead, he allows space for off-court experiences, even if they come at the cost of ideal preparation.

“If you live life only to be a robot on and off the court, I don’t think… I mean, you could, if you enjoy it, then yes, I don’t. I try to balance life on tour and off tour. So Miami is treating me very well.”