DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Daniil Medvedev said it was "easy" getting over his Australian Open final defeat by Jannik Sinner, unlike his reaction to his loss to Rafael Nadal at the same stage two years ago.

Medvedev blew a two-set lead in both the 2022 and 2024 Australian Open finals, but while he is "still disappointed" about the result against Nadal, he feels good about his performance against Sinner last month.

"To be honest, 'get over' was quite easy. As I said after the match, I felt like it would be easy because I played a great tournament, I played a good final," Medvedev told reporters in Dubai.

The Russian world No. 4 will be contesting his first tournament since the Australian Open this week in Dubai, where he is the defending champion.

Medvedev skipped his title defense in Doha last week because he was dealing with a number of physical issues — with his foot, adductor, and shoulder — but feels ready to get back on court after spending the last seven days training in Dubai.

Medvedev, who opens his campaign against Alexander Shevchenko on Tuesday, has added French former world No. 6 Gilles Simon to his team, to collaborate with his long-time coach Gilles Cervara.

"I thought about Gilles Simon for many different reasons. He knows tennis well. You can see it. He was able to beat me and make me feel not good on the court," said Medvedev, who lost three of his four meetings with Simon before the Frenchman retired.

"Together the two Gilles could discuss what was he doing to make me in trouble, and what can we do in practice to work on it. So far, I really like it. We share a little bit the same mentality. We're easy-going."

This time last year, Medvedev was in the process of putting together an impressive 19-match winning streak, which included three consecutive title triumphs in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai, and a runner-up showing in Indian Wells.

An early exit at the 2023 Australian Open and a one-week dip outside the top 10 provided the fuel for that impressive run 12 months ago and he admits he feels "definitely different" arriving in Dubai this time around.