Just under a year ago, having experienced one of the most crushing defeats of his career, Daniil Medvedev arrived in the post-match debrief with a message. He had led Rafael Nadal by two sets in the Australian Open final, only to see his lead crumble, a raucous crowd cheering his opponent and deliberately attempting to disrupt him.
Medvedev opened his press conference with a long, detailed monologue, explaining the passion he had in his career, but how certain moments like that one, his five hours on-court before a hostile crowd, had chipped away at his hope until he had none left.
