“I have to find the balance” – Medvedev on new approach to life and tennis as a father

Ahead of his first match at the Miami Open this week, the Russian opened up about his changing priorities and praised his wife Daria for the sacrifices she has made

AI/Reuters/Panoramic

Jamie Malachy

March 23, 2024

Two years ago, Daniil Medvedev was enduring perhaps the most challenging period in his career, stemming from an agonising loss to Rafael Nadal in the 2022 Australian Open final – a match the Russian had led by two sets to love.

Just under two months ago, Medvedev extraordinarily suffered the exact same fate when he again let slip a two-set lead in the Australian Open final, this time to Jannik Sinner.

But there has been no post-Melbourne hangover for Medvedev in 2024. Instead, the Russian has focused his efforts on a serene and philosophical outlook in the wake of another bruising defeat – something which has clearly aided his efforts on the match court.

One major difference between 2022 and this year is that Medvedev has since become a father, with he and wife Daria welcoming their now-one-year-old daughter Alisa in October 2022.

Speaking to press ahead of launching his title defence at this year’s Miami Open, Medvedev talked candidly about the new balance he now seeks to strike between life as a professional tennis player and life as a father.

“It’s a balance. Sometimes my wife sacrifices some of her time and energy to come to the tournaments with our daughter,” Medvedev said.

“Me, I have to practice less somewhere, or maybe during the tournament I just have to find the time.

“Before I would be in full tennis mode. Now, I have to find the balance to see my daughter also, otherwise it’s not a good life, I would say.

“I’m trying. I think I’m doing well, but I’m always trying to find this balance.”

medvedev pays tribute to wife daria

Despite this shift in outlook and planning, Medvedev doesn’t believe that becoming a father has fundamentally changed his character.

“As a player, I don’t think (fatherhood) has changed me, to be honest,” he explained.

“But hopefully it helps me mature, a little bit. Many times I’m still immature on the court, but I feel like I’m improving slowly every year. That’s my goal.

“In life, hopefully it made me more mature also, more responsible. It’s a big responsibility for sure, to be a father.”

Paying warm tribute to Daria, Medvedev also revealed the sacrifices his wife has made in supporting him on tour, with his daughter Alisa accompanying the Medvedevs to most tournaments.

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A post shared by Daria Medvedeva 💍❤️ (@mrsmedvedev)

“It’s not easy with tennis, because if you want to see your daughter a lot, then your wife has to sacrifice a lot,” Medvedev continued.

“She has to travel with the baby, and many times it’s her taking the plane and not me. Being on a plane with a baby is not easy. I’ve done it a couple of times, she’s done it ten times more than me.”

Just under a year ago, Medvedev won his first title as a new father when he lifted the 2023 Miami Open trophy, with Daria and daughter Alisa watching from home.

This year, Medvedev’s family are all with him as he aims to repeat the feat and successfully defend a title for the first time in his career.

He will take on Marton Fucsovics in his opening match – when the heavy Miami rain finally abates – as he seeks to once again apply his new-found serenity on the match court.