Medvedev motivated for Grand Slam silverware after falling short in 2023

If there is one player who simply thrives on hardcourts, it is Daniil Medvedev and 2024 promises to be an eventful year for the world number three, who will hope he can overcome the final hurdle at the Australian Open at long last.

Medvedev reached the final at Melbourne Park in 2021 and 2022 but fell to two of the 'Big Three', first losing in straight sets to Novak Djokovic before Rafa Nadal overcame overwhelming odds and triumphed from two sets down.

The Russian took a long time to recover from the body blow of Nadal's stunning comeback, losing his way in a topsy-turvy 2022 season while a third round loss in Melbourne last year saw him drop out of the top 10.

While such a decline would have knocked down most seasoned pros, it was all the motivation Medvedev needed to spring back to his feet and return to his best.

He rediscovered his magic touch and suddenly turned things around as he embarked on an explosive run, winning 25 of his next 26 matches to claim four titles in five tournaments.

Although he was denied a Sunshine Double when Carlos Alcaraz beat him in the Indian Wells final, Medvedev did not stop there as he even found success in Rome where he won his first title on clay - the surface he despises the most.

By then he had made third spot in the rankings his own, capping the season off with a semi-final run at Wimbledon and another summit clash at the U.S. Open, where it was a case of deja vu as he fell to an unstoppable Djokovic yet again.

Nevertheless, Medvedev finished 2023 with 66 victories - more than any player on the ATP Tour - with 49 wins coming on hardcourts.

And the 27-year-old, who has reached five Grand Slam finals on hardcourts, is a man on a mission in 2024.

"I have just the biggest motivation ever to