During his short playing career Raman amassed over 15,000 Test and county runs and took 87 wickets
Daniil Medvedev said Sunday that ending his long-standing clay court title jinx was almost equal to capturing the 2021 US Open.
The Russian added a first clay trophy to his 19-title collection with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Holger Rune in the Italian Open final in Rome.
It was his his fifth title of the season and sixth career Masters trophy from six different venues.
"In a way, it's the number one career honour," said the 27-year-old.
"I would never (have) thought I would be able to make this. But I have to be honest -- a Grand Slam is always bigger."
He added: "This one is special because I didn't think it was going happen, I still kind of don't believe - not that I won it, but I played so well this week."
Medvedev, who had been 0-3 in his three previous trips to the Italian capital, had knocked out 2017 champion Alexander Zverev and 2022 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas on his way to Sunday's final.
"I didn't think I could win a Masters 1000 on clay in my career because usually I hated it, I hated playing on it. I didn't feel good on it and nothing was working."
The world number three, who will rise to second in Monday's rankings, admitted he was now warming to the slowest surface in the sport.
"I don't love clay, but let's call it a friendship," said Medvedev after his one-hour, 41-minute win over 20-year-old Rune.
"My tennis love is hard court, but I like clay more now."
Medvedev will be seeded second at the French Open, which starts next weekend, behind Carlos Alcaraz with two-time Roland Garros winner Novak Djokovic in third.
Rafael Nadal, the 14-time champion, has already withdrawn due to a hip injury suffered in January.
"I guess it's better to be number two -- Carlos and I don't play for sure before the final, and Novak (there is) maybe a 50 per cent chance he's not in my draw," said Medvedev.
"At the same time I haven't been further than the quarters in Roland Garros."
Medvedev was an opening-round loser in the French capital in all his first four visits before making the quarter-finals in 2021 and last 16 in 2022.
On Sunday, Medvedev was playing his second clay final after Barcelona in 2019 where he lost to Dominic Thiem.
ALSO READ
Rune was trying to become the youngest player to win the title in Rome since then-19-year-old Nadal lifted the trophy in 2006.
He defeated Djokovic and Casper Ruud en route to the final and had been hoping to win a second Masters after triumphing at Paris last year.
During his short playing career Raman amassed over 15,000 Test and county runs and took 87 wickets
The right-arm fast-bowler has played 90 T20s and picked up 101 T20 wickets in his career
The fast bowler hopes to secure a spot in the Three Lions T20 World Cup squad for the the West Indies and U.S.
The Delhi Capitals captain delivered some eye catching glovework taking two catches and effecting a stunning stumping against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday
Italian coach praises his team who 'gave their all' to secure victory in a pulsating Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday
Manchester City's dream of becoming the first team in history to claim the three titles in back-to-back years falls to pieces in penalty shootout loss
Capitals race to victory inside nine overs after the Titans were dismissed for their lowest IPL score of 89 since they debuted in 2021
The 22-time Grand Slam title winner was returning to action for the first time after missing most of the 2023 season