Daniil Medvedev says he is not concerned too much about the tennis villain label as the Russian underlines he is just trying to be himself on the court. Medvedev, 27, is one of the best players in the game but he is also no stranger to outbursts and meltdowns on the court.
“I just try to be myself. I know that I do mistakes. I know that sometimes I get maybe crazy on court, and I shouldn’t. Sometimes I show bad example and I shouldn’t. But sometimes I show a good example and that’s good.
And so, if people think I’m the villain, that is their interpretation of me on the tennis courts, maybe they’re right, but I’m just trying to be myself. And if I have friends that love me, that’s great.
I would be probably less happy if I don’t have any friends. So, I have my friends who know who I am in real life and that I can be chill and easygoing. Not like on the court, sometimes,” Medvedev told SuperTennis, per the Rome Masters tournament website.
Medvedev looking forward to competing at the Rome Masters
Medvedev disliking clay very much is something well-documented. So far this clay season, Medvedev reached the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinal and also picked up a round-of-16 exit at the Madrid this week.
Now, Medvedev is set to compete at the Rome Masters, where he is the third-seeded player. “The more time passes during the clay season, the more I feel good on it, even if sometimes I lose, I feel better and better. And it’s the same here.
I feel really great on practice dealing great with bad bounces, so I am looking forward to the tournament,” Medvedev said. After a first-round bye in Rome, Medvedev will play against the winner of the match between Ugo Humbert and Emil Ruusuvuori.
