By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Daniil Medvedev is excited to get down and dirty during and after Wimbledon.
The 2023 Wimbledon semifinalist confirmed he’s all in for the Paris Olympic Games later this month.
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The fifth-seeded Medvedev worked three-and-a-half hours today overcoming tough Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5 to reach the Wimbledon third round for the fifth straight appearance.
Asked afterward if he’s planning to go back to Roland Garros’ red clay, Medvedev replied “If I’m healthy, 100% will be here.”
Though Medvedev won Rome in 2023 he views dirt as his least favorite surface.
Citing the unique Olympic experience and the joy of competing in the Olympics, Medvedev said it was an easy decision.
“For me it was a very easy decision. In Tokyo, I loved the atmosphere, I loved being there, playing there,” Medvedev told the media at Wimbledon. “It’s going to be even different in Paris. Because Tokyo was COVID, no people, closed atmosphere, and I loved it. So I’m sure it’s going to be even more fun in Paris.
“I know if I’m thinking strictly about my personal career, it’s better to go to Canada, prepare hard courts, et cetera. When I’m 40, if I can say I played in Tokyo Olympics, Paris Olympics, Los Angeles Olympics, I had a lot of fun in my life, my career, I’m going to be happy.”
Medvedev said he plans to play singles, doubles and mixed doubles and sees his best shot to medal in doubles or mixed where Russian compatriots Andrey Rublev and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova are reigning Olympic gold-medal champions.
“I’m going to prepare a lot doubles and mixed doubles, because I do believe I have more chances there than in Roland Garros singles,” Medvedev said. “I’m going to have a lot of fun, enjoy playing. I look forward to it, yeah.”
