Medvedev considering skipping Moscow: “I need to take care of my body”

Daniil Medvedev exited the BNP Paribas Open in unusual fashion on Wednesday, unravelling in the second and third sets as he went out in the fourth round to Grigor Dimitrov.

The Russian had a string of excuses ready, from the conditions, to a desire to have played at night and then an inspired opponent. But the US Open champion later hit on perhaps the most likely reason: he needs a rest.

The problem is that Medvedev is entered in next week’s Kremlin Cup in Moscow, the lure for which will be immense. But having played six events since Wimbledon and a total of 58 matches in 2021, the body is shouting for a break.

“I need to see next two days what I do, because I’m signed in Moscow, which is next week,” he said. “I did sign, because I haven’t played there since 2018. It’s my hometown, so I wanted to give myself at least a chance to sign, and this time I’m in the draw.The deadline is Friday.

“(But) to be honest, yeah, I did feel exhausted this tournament, which of course I will never say before matches, so now I can say it. I did feel tired, and there were a few things coming up during the tournament in terms of my physical. So I’m going to see next few days after this tough match if I’m going to be able to compete in Moscow, which I really want to do, but, yeah, I need to take care of my body. But anyway, I’m going to go there, just, yeah, I need to see a little bit before the deadline if I’m going to retire or not.”

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