"This season is really different, so it's tough to compare to other seasons" - Medvedev on the progress he has made during the pandemic-altered 2020 season.

With the Paris Masters kicking off this week, the 2020 ATP season is winding down and Daniil Medvedev is one of the numerous players looking to end the year on a high note.

The World No.5 has not experienced as much success as he did in 2019, where he won four titles from nine finals. Although he is yet to reach a final this season, the Russian has not let that obscure his focus.

“I don't really like to live in the past. Either it was good or bad, I want to move on. I want to think more about the future,” Medvedev said. “What I'm doing in the present, when I'm in practice or a match, I just want to do the best I can. So in the future it will also help. Even if you lose some matches, if you work hard then in the future it's going to come back.”

Having reached the 2020 US Open semifinal where he lost to eventual champion Dominic Thiem, Medvedev has also qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the second consecutive year.

“I'm feeling not so bad. Of course, my confidence could be a little bit higher when you go further in the tournaments. But physically and mentally I feel ready for the end of the season. I don't feel burnt out, so that's the most important thing,” Medvedev added. “I'm ready to fight and ready to show my best.”

Furthermore, the 24-year old believes it's tough to determine how much progress he has made this year. This is mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as it caused a five-month suspension of the ATP Tour and altered the tournament schedule for the rest of the year.

When we came back it was a different situation. It still is. Tournaments are still a little bit different,” reflected Medvedev. “It was tougher to, in one way, schedule the season. When I say this, usually you know how the season goes. You have your preseason, then you play tournaments. You know when you go to vacation. You know when you come back from vacation.

“This season is really different. So it's tough to compare to other seasons. So talking about me as a player, I'm trying to progress every day.”

Seeded third at the Paris Masters, Medvedev will face the winner between two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson and lucky loser Laslo Djere in his opening match.