โI for sure have been playing very good at the end of the season, I think I made six of the last seven tournamentsโ quarters [finals], so I am happy with the way I was playing. I know that when Iโm playing good, there are not that many players who can beat me easily, or at all.
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โIf I manage to play good in Australia, Iโm happy with my chances.โ
While Nakashima, ranked 29th on the ATP live standings, showed signs of fight in the second set – breaking back as Medvedev served for the championship to level at 5-5 – his rival remained unflappable, his expression barely changing with each point as he kept the emotional outbursts to the side as he had done all week.
โI always stay true to myself, meaning when I get angry I do bad things, and sometimes I have to apologise, but itโs the way I am,โ Medvedev said.
โItโs my emotions, but I also know this emotion can be a bit too much, and they can cost me a bit of energy and concentration during the match. Iโm happy here I managed to find a flow.โ
He dug straight into his bag of tricks throughout the tiebreaker – his clinical down-the-line backhands brutal, having already forced his American counterpart to desperately scramble all around the court. The way in which he picked his moments to attack the net left Nakashima bereft of answers.
Having waited until Octoberโs Almaty Open to win a title in 2025, ending a drought dating back to his 2023 Rome Masters victory (882 days), the 29-year-old has now waited less than three months to claim another mantle.
If winning is a habit, he is certainly doing all he can to ensure it is not a forgotten one, while crediting his new coaching team for his rapid transformation.
A breakthrough win on Rod Laver Arena would also continue an intriguing Medvedev narrative, with each of his 22 titles coming in different cities and competitions.
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โLast year was not easy, it was a bit turbulent, and changing the team helped. I havenโt played a grand slam yet with the new team, and as Iโm saying this I feel whatโs important is the way I play,โ Medvedev said.
โIf I lose first round in the Australian Open but play like here [in Brisbane], I would be surprised, but I would go out from the match and say to myself โit was great, and Iโll try better next timeโ.
โItโs a fun story – 22 titles in 22 different cities – and if it continues great, Iโve never won in Melbourne.โ
