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ATP Indian Wells - Daniil Medvedev: "I want to play my favorite sport"

Daniil Medvedev is in the third round of the Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 event. The world number one would like to prevent the possible exclusion of Russian players in view of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine.

by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Mar 14, 2022, 10:19 am

Wer gewinnt? Tippt jetzt!
Daniil Medvedev has presented himself flawlessly in Indian Wells so far
© Getty Images
Daniil Medvedev has presented himself flawlessly in Indian Wells so far

Two things are currently noteworthy about the games of Daniil Medvedev, who was able to safely celebrate entering the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 event on Sunday night (CET): On the one hand, the Russian has been wearing the number unconditionally for a few days one next to his name - completely irrelevant whether Novak Djokovic can participate in the respective tournament - but the Russian flag next to the name Daniil Medvedev is missing.

This is the ATP, WTA and ITF response to Russia's military aggression in Ukraine. In the future, players from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to wear the flag or other symbols of their home country when they compete in international tennis tournaments. However, unlike in various team sports such as football, Russian athletes are not excluded from the competitions.

Medvedev: "Tennis is a very individual sport"

In any case, the world number one would like to prevent this from changing: "First of all, I don't have to decide that. I follow the rules, I can't do anything else. At the moment the rule is that we can play under a neutral flag." , according to Medvedev. "I want to play my favorite sport. Until I have the opportunity I will play out there for the fans and of course for myself."

In principle, he finds this regulation for tennis quite practicable, especially since it is far more individualistic than, for example, World Cup qualification in football: "I also believe that tennis is a very individual sport. As long as I have the chance, I will play. Times see how the situation develops,"said the Russian , who has positioned himself clearly against the Ukraine war via social media.

The fact that he can currently start as number one in the tennis world is a "great feeling", as Medvedev emphasized. "It's something I've always dreamed of. At the same time, I want to improve my game and try to win more." And at the same time not resting on past successes: "I try not to think too much about the past and focus on the future and the present. That's why sometimes I think it's better not to be aware of what you have achieved."

by Michael Rothschädl

Monday
Mar 14, 2022, 02:15 pm
last edit: Mar 14, 2022, 10:19 am