Autograph Corner: Daniil Medvedev

At 28 years old, Russian Daniil Medvedev is a cross generational tennis player with battle scars from hard fought matches against incredible players including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. He has been ranked number one in the world in singles and has notched 20 ATP tour singles titles at 20 different events, including the 2023 Miami Open.

Highlight reel wins include the 2021 US Open and the 2020 ATP Finals. En route to the ATP Finals victory he beat the top three ranked players in the world, the only player to accomplish that feat. Medvedev’s US Open title denied Novak Djokovic’s bid for a calendar grand slam. Medvedev has prevailed in six Masters titles and he has played in six major finals. 

Courtesy of the Adam Ross Collection.

Medvedev, nicknamed Chessmaster for his love of chess and tactical approach to tennis and the Octopus for his unorthodox and lethal playing style, may be the best interview on the ATP Tour. Never at a loss for words and no canned answers from this amazing competitor. Florida Tennis asked Medvedev about how becoming a father changed him on and off the court. Medvedev and his wife, Daria, became first time parents to daughter, Alisa, in 2022. “As a player, I don't think this changed me to be honest. So yeah, but hopefully, hopefully, it helps me to 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, you know, that's my goal. In life, hopefully. Yeah, that made me more mature also, you know, more responsible. It's a bigger responsibility for sure to be a father,” said Medvedev.

And what about navigating the work-life balance? “And how do I balance, it's not easy. We compromise because, you know, if you want to see your daughter a lot, then your wife has to sacrifice a lot because she has to travel with the baby and many times it's her taking the plane alone with the baby. It's not that easy. I've done it a couple of times. She's done it ten times more than me. With the daughter, sometimes I have to practice less somewhere. Now I need to find the balance to see my daughter. I feel like I'm doing well, but I'm always trying to find this balance,” said Medvedev.

Courtesy of the Adam Ross Collection.

At 6’6” tall, Medvedev defies convention with his unorthodox strokes and movement. His return of serve position from well behind the baseline is also a bit different from other players. While tennis fans marvel at the consistency, finesse and power of players such as Carlos Alacaraz and Janik Sinner, Medvedev is always a fascinating watch as well with his unorthodox playing style and heady approach. No player wants to see Medvev on their side of the draw as he is always a tough out.

Does Medvedev consider himself easy to coach and does he listen to all of the advice from his coaches, Gilles Cervera and Gilles Simon? “Many people around me, my parents or my coaches could tell me many different things. But [I didn’t listen] until I found it out myself,” said Medvedev. And, does this run in the family? “I would say [this is the] same with my daughter. I tell her and I try to help her and she's [acting] like, I'm gonna do it my way. I'm like, good for you. I like it!” And the tennis world likes watching Medvedev!

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Adam Ross is a contributing writer for Florida Tennis and a volunteer with the USTA Florida. He is also Vice-President of the TCA/Tennis Collectors of America. He welcomes your questions or comments at aross95400@gmail.com. Top photo: Miami Open presented by Itaú.