Meddy to make double digit slam finals?

[helterskelter]

The AO final will be Meddy’s sixth slam final: USO 19, AO 21, USO 21, AO 22, USO 23, AO 24.


He turns 28 next month but shows few signs of slowing down - it’s his second straight slam final. An obstacle may be his failure to make a final at either RG or WI, but then again he’s made three of the last five finals at the USO and three of the last four at the AO. He seems a step above everyone bar Djokovic, Alcaraz (who, anyway, is in a slump), and Sinner (and Nadal when fit).

Four more finals might not be easy but could be doable.

Incidentally, he is the only player younger than Djokovic to have made five slam finals. Only Thiem made four. Even Del Potro and Cilic didn’t do so.

 

[nolefam_2024]

It might be possible. But he went through hell just to make this final. If he was in opposite half, nole might even beat him (mostly not in current form)

 

[Kralingen]

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

He’s a HC specialist so why not?

 

[helterskelter]

Would him ending with a 1-9 record in slam finals and making Murray’s final record look good give you any schadenfreude?

 

[Deleted member 758560]

octopus

 

[DSH]

octopus

There will be eight finals for the Russian Octopus.

 

[tudwell]

It’s possible. Definitely not out of reach.

The worrying thing for me is his serve seems on the decline – or at least temporarily dipping. In 2023 he hit fewer aces and quite a few more double faults than the prior seasons. As a result he held slightly less. That trend so far looks to be continuing in 2024. It’s not a huge drop, but as he gets older I would assume his return game will start to decline as his footspeed starts to diminish and he’ll need to increase his efficiency on serve even from where it was in 2021 to have the same results. Maybe he’ll do that. Or maybe his return won’t decline anytime soon. We’ll see.

 

[Jonesy]

Probably, his style makes for consistent runs on HC almost all the time. On RG his ceiling will be QF max, he might even reach a final at Wimbledon one day.

 

[dking68]

@nolefam_2024 Sinner is a better hardcourt player. Sinner could win high single digits on hard court. Maybe 4-6 AOs and 3-4 USOs

 

[helterskelter]

@nolefam_2024 Sinner is a better hardcourt player. Sinner could win high single digits on hard court. Maybe 4-6 AOs and 3-4 USOs

Of course. I have told some posters that I am starting to think you might be right that Sinner can end 2024 as #1.

But this thread is about Medvedev. He can make slam finals even if not as good as Sinner.

 

[helterskelter]

It’s possible. Definitely not out of reach.

The worrying thing for me is his serve seems on the decline – or at least temporarily dipping. In 2023 he hit fewer aces and quite a few more double faults than the prior seasons. As a result he held slightly less. That trend so far looks to be continuing in 2024. It’s not a huge drop, but as he gets older I would assume his return game will start to decline as his footspeed starts to diminish and he’ll need to increase his efficiency on serve even from where it was in 2021 to have the same results. Maybe he’ll do that. Or maybe his return won’t decline anytime soon. We’ll see.

I think Medvedev is unlikely to decline much for a couple of years. Still too early to predict his performance post 30, but he should be top five in 2024 and top eight in 2025, I think. Perhaps higher than that. Certainly he will need to improve his serve stats to contend into his 30s.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

If he wasn't so hopeless on clay and grass it would be a sure thing. Very consistent player. He had a weak spell for a year or so but he's been back for a while.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Medvedev is underrated

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

What a massive indictment of the current mugzeit indeed, a player like Sadladev reaching oodles of slam finals. Amidst proper competition, this guy would've struggled to reach two given his plentiful shortcomings.

 

[Mark-Touch]

I think Medvedev is unlikely to decline much for a couple of years. Still too early to predict his performance post 30, but he should be top five in 2024 and top eight in 2025, I think. Perhaps higher than that. Certainly he will need to improve his serve stats to contend into his 30s.

Yes given the BIG 3's performance into their 30's and the 30's being the new 20's, isn't it a tad premature to predict a player's performance 5-10 years in advance?

 

[dking68]

Yes given the BIG 3's performance into their 30's and the 30's being the new 20's, isn't it a tad premature to predict a player's performance 5-10 years in advance?

His style of play, if his legs wear down even by 5% that can make a difference between him staying as a top3/top 5 player and being top 15. His serve has already declined a lot. I don’t see him being dominant in his 30s

 

[helterskelter]

Yes given the BIG 3's performance into their 30's and the 30's being the new 20's, isn't it a tad premature to predict a player's performance 5-10 years in advance?

It is indeed impossible to know at this stage whether he'll last into his 30s or not. That's why I just said I think he should still do well for the next couple of years and gave no further prediction either way after that. He might have several more years; he might not. But I don't think it's likely that he'll drop off significantly this year or next. Not impossible, but not likely, either.

 

[Kralingen]

Would him ending with a 1-9 record in slam finals and making Murray’s final record look good give you any schadenfreude?

He’s the Murray of his generation, sure. An unpleasant pusher with a nasty attitude and a penchant for choking vs actual competition.

The issue of course is, there’s no Big 3 of his generation Tsitsipas is his Federer, Zverev his Djokovic, and Shapo his Nadal.

 

[junior74]

That would be sad for tennis. But he is sticking to the rules, so fair play.

 

[helterskelter]

He’s the Murray of his generation, sure. An unpleasant pusher with a nasty attitude and a penchant for choking vs actual competition.

The issue of course is, there’s no Big 3 of his generation Tsitsipas is his Federer, Zverev his Djokovic, and Shapo his Nadal.

Unlike Tsitsipas, Zverev, and Shapovalov, who have all failed to develop their games as well as they might have done, Meddy has squeezed every last drop out of his potential - it's just that he doesn't have all that much talent. In that sense, he's more like a Rublev than like any of the others.

Other than the 2022 AO final, when did Meddy choke, by the way? I don't think losing the 2019 US Open final counts - he was behind almost the whole time in that match and did well to make it as close as he did. I don't think one choke means having a tendency to choke.

Murray does have a bad attitude on court, but I think he's a good person off the court, for the most part.

 

[RF-18]

I'm with Medvedev tomorrow. He has done so well all these years I don't wanna see him lose another final. He needs this so bad.

 

[Fabresque]

He’s the Murray of his generation, sure. An unpleasant pusher with a nasty attitude and a penchant for choking vs actual competition.

The issue of course is, there’s no Big 3 of his generation Tsitsipas is his Federer, Zverev his Djokovic, and Shapo his Nadal.

That is a disgraceful comparison Kralingen. Murray is not better than the B3 and Medvedev clears those 3 total bums.

 

[socallefty]

He is amongst the most consistent hard court players in the world and I’m sure he will move better on grass as he gets older. So, four more finals should be reachable. The question is how many Slam wins that will include as he will likely be the underdog in many of them to guys like Djokovic, Sinner and Alcaraz.

 

[Kralingen]

That is a disgraceful comparison Kralingen. Murray is not better than the B3 and Medvedev clears those 3 total bums.

That’s the point, Medvedev is a Murray tier player (worse, of course) made to look better by his lacking generation. Like Murray without the Big 3

 

[RF-18]

That’s the point, Medvedev is a Murray tier player (worse, of course) made to look better by his lacking generation. Like Murray without the Big 3

Dude, 6 slam finals is no joke. You realize only 15 other tennis players in the history of the open era has reached more? It's ridiculously difficult and he essentially did it across 2 slams. Yea his strokes doesn't look like your typical player but that means jack all. To make so many finals takes extraordinary quality. put your bias aside. You may not like his game or attitude but at least recognize his achievements and incredible consistency.

 

[Fabresque]

That’s the point, Medvedev is a Murray tier player (worse, of course) made to look better by his lacking generation. Like Murray without the Big 3

Disagree. He’s a lot better than you give him credit for.

 

[Cortana]

Wait he made 3 AO and 3 USO finals?

 

[travlerajm]

Probably, his style makes for consistent runs on HC almost all the time. On RG his ceiling will be QF max, he might even reach a final at Wimbledon one day.

I actually think he has a better shot to make a final at RG than at Wimbledon.

On clay, his style of waiting far behind baseline for the ball to come back down doesn’t hurt him as much.

On grass, he has to shift his return position closer to the baseline, where he is less comfortable.

 

[Kralingen]

Dude, 6 slam finals is no joke. You realize only 15 other tennis players in the history of the open era has reached more? It's ridiculously difficult and he essentially did it across 2 slams. Yea his strokes doesn't look like your typical player but that means jack all. To make so many finals takes extraordinary quality. put your bias aside. You may not like his game or attitude but at least recognize his achievements and incredible consistency.

Who are the best players he beat to make his 6 Slam finals…

Let’s do a deep dive

USO 19: Koepfer, Washed Up Wawrinka, Dimitrov
AO 21: Rublev and Tsitsipas
USO 21: FAA and Botic Van de Zandschulp
AO 22: FAA and Tsitsipas
USO 23: Rublev, Raz
AO 24: Hurkacz, Zverev

None of these guys move me whatsoever. Except maybe USO 23 Raz, he hasn’t beaten anyone good to get into these Slam finals

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

H E ' S M A D E S I X F I N A L S.

 

[travlerajm]

Who are the best players he beat to make his 6 Slam finals…

Let’s do a deep dive

USO 19: Koepfer, Washed Up Wawrinka, Dimitrov
AO 21: Rublev and Tsitsipas
USO 21: FAA and Botic Van de Zandschulp
AO 22: FAA and Tsitsipas
USO 23: Rublev, Raz
AO 24: Hurkacz, Zverev

None of these guys move me whatsoever. Except maybe USO 23 Raz, he hasn’t beaten anyone good to get into these Slam finals

In fairness to Med, that list is essentially a who’s who list of he best players of his era outside of Djokodal.

 

[Bartelby]

Sinner beat a wiped-out Novak to reach the final, whereas Med had to actually fight hard.

 

[Sport]

Who are the best players he beat to make his 6 Slam finals…

Let’s do a deep dive

USO 19: Koepfer, Washed Up Wawrinka, Dimitrov
AO 21: Rublev and Tsitsipas
USO 21: FAA and Botic Van de Zandschulp
AO 22: FAA and Tsitsipas
USO 23: Rublev, Raz
AO 24: Hurkacz, Zverev

None of these guys move me whatsoever. Except maybe USO 23 Raz, he hasn’t beaten anyone good to get into these Slam finals

Zverev at the AO 2024 was displaying a high level, and Dimitrov exhibited a solid level at the USO 2019. FAA at the AO 2022 was on fire. You just refuse to give the Octopus any credit.

 

[Kralingen]

Zverev at the AO 2024 was displaying a high level, and Dimitrov exhibited a solid level at the USO 2019. FAA at the AO 2022 was on fire. You just refuse to give the Octopus any credit.

Why does he deserve credit? He is an awful human being who displays his awful behavior constantly.

 

[travlerajm]

Why does he deserve credit? He is an awful human being who displays his awful behavior constantly.

You have to admit that he’s the best post-match interviewee since Roddick.

 

[MeatTornado]

Would be pretty funny if he loses today after finally getting getting a non-Big 3 opponent in the final.

 

[sometennisdot]

Yeah probably.

 

[Fabresque]

Why does he deserve credit? He is an awful human being who displays his awful behavior constantly.

Zverev is in that post you quoted bro, he’s much more of an “awful human being” than Med lmfao

 

[nolefam_2024]

His style of play, if his legs wear down even by 5% that can make a difference between him staying as a top3/top 5 player and being top 15. His serve has already declined a lot. I don’t see him being dominant in his 30s

Careful. Serve rarely declines

Bopanna is world number 1 in doubles at 43. Serving amazing. Show me a player whose serve considerably declined with age.

 

[dking68]

Careful. Serve rarely declines

Bopanna is world number 1 in doubles at 43. Serving amazing. Show me a player whose serve considerably declined with age.

His serve has declined. I think he got broken 20 times in this tournament. In 2021 he was barely being broken

 

[messiahrobins]

He’s the Murray of his generation, sure. An unpleasant pusher with a nasty attitude and a penchant for choking vs actual competition.

The issue of course is, there’s no Big 3 of his generation Tsitsipas is his Federer, Zverev his Djokovic, and Shapo his Nadal.

Norrie is hia nadal. Shapo is his verdasco

 

[messiahrobins]

Dude, 6 slam finals is no joke. You realize only 15 other tennis players in the history of the open era has reached more? It's ridiculously difficult and he essentially did it across 2 slams. Yea his strokes doesn't look like your typical player but that means jack all. To make so many finals takes extraordinary quality. put your bias aside. You may not like his game or attitude but at least recognize his achievements and incredible consistency.

...on hard court.
To take the next step he has to at kezst make a final at W and or Rg.

 

[helterskelter]

His serve has declined. I think he got broken 20 times in this tournament. In 2021 he was barely being broken

That can also be fluctuating form.

 

[RaulRamirez]

Med seems to be quite the polarizing figure.
(A knee-jerk prediction: He'll finish 2-7 in slam finals. Nobody will save this, right?)

Most can't abide his style of play, but it's obviously effective - primarily on hard courts, of course. I don't love his game, but admire his savvy, and also find him to be a mostly fascinating interview.

And yes, 6'6 guys who can serve, run, defend, (at times, play offensively) and are tough mentally don't grow on trees. A very tough out at the big HC tourneys, and he's improving on grass.

 

[DSH]

Medvedev is underrated

Medvedev is definitely not a mediocre player like the Federer fan, NatF, maliciously judged him.

 

[NeutralFan]

@nolefam_2024 Sinner is a better hardcourt player. Sinner could win high single digits on hard court. Maybe 4-6 AOs and 3-4 USOs

Can't wait for Sinner to annihilate Pusherdev, I'll be very mad if Pusherdev wins. he's everything that's wrong with modern tennis.

 

[helterskelter]

Med seems to be quite the polarizing figure.
(A knee-jerk prediction: He'll finish 2-7 in slam finals. Nobody will save this, right?)

Most can't abide his style of play, but it's obviously effective - primarily on hard courts, of course. I don't love his game, but admire his savvy, and also find him to be a mostly fascinating interview.

And yes, 6'6 guys who can serve, run, defend, (at times, play offensively) and are tough mentally don't grow on trees. A very tough out at the big HC tourneys, and he's improving on grass.

Bookmarked for you. Three more slam finals seems like a reasonable prediction, too, though I'm going to predict that he does make the 10 I posited in the OP as possible.

It'd be interesting to see whether all ten end up being on hard courts. I think they might well do.