“Daniil Medvedev devastated after historic defeat at the Monte-Carlo Masters.”

Daniil Medvedev was at the center of one of the biggest shocks of the Monte-Carlo Masters after being defeated by Matteo Berrettini with a double 6-0, something unprecedented in the Russian’s career. The humiliation at the Masters 1000 tournament left the former US Open champion completely despondent and confused, unable to explain his catastrophic performance on the clay courts of the Principality.

Medvedev, known for having difficulties adapting to clay surfaces, appeared completely out of sorts during the match on Wednesday, April 9, 2026. The 30-year-old, seeded number 7, was unable to impose his game against the Italian Matteo Berrettini, who took advantage of his opponent’s frailty to win without any contest.

In exclusive statements after the match, Daniil Medvedev expressed disbelief at what had transpired: “To be honest, it’s basically the same thing that happens every year; in practice, I’m not the best on clay, but I’ve never lost 6-0! I don’t understand what happened. I couldn’t control anything, not even get my serve into play. I was serving well in practice, I don’t know what happened, it seems like nothing can be changed.”

The Russian continued to express his frustration, detailing his game: “I think I didn’t manage to hit more than two balls in play. You can play aggressively or defensively, but if you can’t get the ball in play, it doesn’t matter how you play, it won’t help. For now, I see no reason for this performance. I don’t even know if it’s worth looking for reasons or if I should forget and focus on the next tournament.”

This defeat marked the first time Medvedev lost to Berrettini, who currently ranks 90th in the world. Previously, the Russian had won all their encounters, all played on hard courts, reinforcing the idea that clay continues to be a Achilles’ heel for Medvedev.

Despite this harsh blow in Monte Carlo, Daniil Medvedev is preparing to return to competition at the Madrid Masters 1000, which will take place from April 22 to May 3 at the Caja Mágica. The tournament promises great excitement with the presence of stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic, where Medvedev will have the opportunity to regain his lost confidence.

So far, 2026 has been a strong year for the Russian tennis player. He won his first title of the season at the Dubai Tennis Championships, defeating names like Stan Wawrinka and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Shortly after, he reached the final in Indian Wells, where he eliminated world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals, before succumbing to Jannik Sinner in the final.

The setback in Monte-Carlo is a tough blow, but it also serves as a warning for Medvedev: clay remains his biggest challenge, and time does not stand still for a high-level athlete seeking to stay among the best in the world. The Russian’s response in Madrid could determine the next steps of his season and even his career. Stay tuned!

This article first appeared on Apito Final.