When Daniil Medvedev woke up in his hotel bed in Acapulco on Monday morning (02/28/2022), everything was different. The Russian has been the official number one in the world rankings since that day. For the first time in his life. This has been certain since his quarterfinal victory at the tournament in Mexico over the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka. Because Novak Djokovic lost at the parallel tournament in Dubai, the Serb had to resign after 361 weeks at the top of this list.
“Stand up for peace around the world”
Medvedev refrained from any celebration. Rather, the 26-year-old spoke of his feelings about the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine these days: “I stand for peace around the world”said Medvedev. “Waking up here in Mexico and seeing the news from home wasn’t easy”he said.
As a tennis player, he promotes peace around the world. “We play in so many different countries, I’ve been to so many different countries as a junior and as a professional. It’s not easy to hear all this news.”said Medvedev.
“Tennis not so important in these moments”
Medvedev reported that since childhood it had been his goal to become number one in the world. “But in these moments it is clear that sometimes tennis is not so important”said this year’s Australian Open finalist and 2021 US Open winner.
Medvedev reminded that last week his Russian compatriot Andrei Rublev won the doubles title together with the Ukrainian Denis Molkhanov at the tournament in Marseille. “It was great because people have to stick together”said Medvedev.
Breakthrough 2019 in New York
Medvedev came into the public eye at the US Open 2019. The Russian tennis pro, who had won a number of ATP tournaments from 2018, played his way to the final in New York, although he had the crowd against him in the first rounds, and there he also stood up to the favored multiple Grand Slam champion Nadal, when he lost out in five hard-fought sets.
He continued his rise to become one of the top tennis pros on the Tour by winning the 2020 ATP Finals and his first Grand Slam success at the 2021 US Open.
Center of life for years in France
Medvedev was born in Moscow and grew up there with his father Sergei, mother Olga and sister Elena. He studied applied economics and commercial sciences at the State Institute for International Relations in Moscow, but dropped out in favor of a tennis career.
He hasn’t had too much connection with his home country for a long time. Medvedev, who speaks Russian, English and French, has been training at the tennis academy in Antibes in France for years and lives in Monte Carlo. During his mission in Mexico, his wife Daria also made a clear statement with her choice of clothes in the stands – with the Ukrainian colors on the lapel.
Top player Switolina appeals to Tennsiwelt
Meanwhile, top Ukrainian player Elina Switolina wants more support from the tennis world for her homeland, which is under attack from Russia. “The tennis community can do more. We’ve seen them come together and help the world in the past. Even now we can do a lot more.”, said the world number 15. in an interview with Eurosport.
Source: red