"I'm trying to catch them": Daniil Medvedev sees Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz threat as springboard to improvement

Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev may more experience on the ATP Tour than colleagues Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, but the former World No.1 believes the duo pose a huge threat, which will only help him improve his game.

Medvedev has lost two finals this season to each of the aforementioned young stars, falling to Sinner at the Australian Open and Alcaraz at Indian Wells. Although he is the defending champion at the ongoing Miami Open, the Russian is seeded below the duo and is projected to face Sinner in the semifinals and Alcaraz in the finals, should they win their prospective matches.

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The challenge only drives him to improve, according to Medvedev

In an interview with Reuters, Medvedev spoke on the silver lining of losing to two such talented players, and gave his opinion on their rising popularity. In head-to-head meetings, Medvedev has a positive record against Sinner (6-4) but not against Alcaraz (2-4).

"I’m trying to catch them here and there,” said Medvedev on Thursday. “But for me it’s always a good challenge when we have these young guys coming up, it makes you only better. The more I will play, the more young guys will come, and the more I’ll try to adapt my game and that’s what I’m trying to do right now. 
"I think it’s in every sport when you play defensively, people want to see the shots. As soon as Carlos came on the tour, he gained a lot of fans because he crushes the ball. For me, the result is the most important, it’s more important than to, let’s say, be beautiful on the court. When players can mix it up, it’s in my opinion even more beautiful.“