Medvedev: “If you look at Daniil Medvedev as a tennis player, maybe it’s not that easy to like him”

The Russian knows his style is hard to like, but his personality wins people over

Daniil Medvedev, US Open 2022 | © Zuma / Panoramic

August 26, 2022

World No 1 Daniil Medvedev has made a career out of doing things his own way, and he’s not about to change.

While others may have more aesthetically pleasing styles or a game that you might find in a tennis text book, the Russian has an ungainly method that no one in their right mind would try to copy.

Calm before the storm…. pic.twitter.com/qNMSU4d3lc
— Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) August 23, 2022

And yet, it repeats, which is all that matters. And on the eve of the US Open, where he won his first and to date only Grand Slam title 12 months ago, Medvedev is well aware that with him, there is more than meets the eye.

Medvedev : “It’s because I want to win”

“It’s going to be a little bit harsh on myself, but I’m going to say (it),” he told reporters at the US Open on Friday. “I do think if you look at Daniil Medvedev only on the tennis court, only as a tennis player, maybe it’s not that easy to like him or me as much because, I mean, my technique is a little bit odd. My game style is probably not the most flashiest, but that’s because I want to win.

“When I was young, when I was 18, I was hitting the ball as hard as I can. Maybe people would love it more, but, yeah, I probably would not win a Grand Slam.”

When I interact with my fans, if they know little bit more of who I am in real life, they start to like me more
Daniil Medvdev

Medvedev said it takes time for his personality to come through.

“I do feel like when I interact with my fans, if they know little bit more of who I am in real life, they start to like me more,” he said.

“I would think my personality together with what I am on the tennis court, what I am straight afterwards in interviews or my personal life, is what makes some people a fan of Daniil Medvedev.”

So close in Australia

Medvedev almost won a second straight slam in Australia, only for Rafael Nadal to conjure an amazing comeback.

The 26-year-old then missed Wimbledon because of the ban on Russian and Belarusian players but has looked in good form of late, winning the title in Los Cabos and making the semis in Cincinnati.

“I’m working well,” he said. “I’m working well with my team. I’m confident in myself. That’s the most important for me, is when I finish my career, when I finish a year, which is 2022, to look back and did I do everything I can? If yes, what can I do better? Let’s adjust for the next years. That’s a challenge for me, and I like this challenge.”

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