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WATCH: Daniil Medvedev lets loose on string habits with Tennis Warehouse

The former world No. 1 admitted to a less fussy approach to maintaining equipment in big matches, and revealed his preferred string tension in the midst of a career surge.

ByDavid Kane

Published Apr 21, 2023

WATCH: Medvedev won four of five tournaments to finish off the first quarter of 2023, and is aiming to carry that momentum onto clay.

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A small change has led to a big leap for Daniil Medvedev, who enjoyed a phenomenal run through the first quarter of 2023 with the help of a change in strings.

“I decided to change this year because I felt like it was time to something new,” the former world No. 1 told Tennis Warehouse of his switch to the Tecnifibre Razor Soft 17/1.25 strings. “These strings give me more easy power. After, there was a question to find the control, and I feel like I don’t lose control too much if it at all.

“During the pre-season, we tried a lot of different Tecnifbre strings and almost straightaway, this was the one I liked the most. Like any tennis player, you have doubts so you need time to be sure it was the right choice. We saw the ball is going off much easier from the racquet.”

Indeed, after an early exit from the 2023 Australian Open, Medvedev went on a tear through his next five tournaments, reaching five finals and winning four titles to put himself back in the top tier of men’s tennis.

Ever self-aware, Medvedev opened up on exactly what it takes to make his game work as he aims to strike a balance between power and control.

“Every player is different, and some players have [easy power] in their hands,” he explained before adding with a laugh, “I don’t!

“So, I need it either in the balls or the strings, and that’s what a lot of people might be looking for.”

Medvedev also confirmed a laissez-faire approach to his equipment, opting against the many mid-match adjustments his opponents are known to make.

“A lot of players do different tensions depending if they play at night or during the day. They’ll change racquets for every change of the balls. That’s not me! I’m using the same tension almost all over the world: 22 kilos. Sometimes what I do is 21 main and 22 cross. I don’t usually change racquets during matches, even in five sets, and I don’t change tension if it’s cold, hot, or whatever.”

Can Medvedev take his equipment optimization through a career-best clay swing?

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