MEDVEDEV, the first racket from the Russian Federation: “I am for world peace. All I can say”

Russia’s first racket Danil Medvedev (ATP 6) attended a press conference after qualifying for the semi-finals of the ATP 1000 in Indian Wells (USA) and was asked if he wanted the war in Ukraine to end.

– I have a difficult question for you. He came in last night after Iga beat Radukana and said most of the conversation should basically be that Belarusians and Russians should have the right to play, but he also believes players have a responsibility to be where they are. have access to the media.

He does not understand how the Ukrainians continue to compete with everything that is going on. He said that players are not responsible for being born in this or that country, but they are. My question is: What do you think about the pressure on Ukrainians whose country was bombed and their houses were blown up? Do you think leading players are responsible for the use of their platform?

Yes, this is a difficult question to answer. First of all, I absolutely feel sorry for all Ukrainian players and what they went through. Of course, I do not know the details of the situation with Tsurenko’s refusal. It’s more about him and maybe a little bit about Sobolenko, because actually I only learned about it the next day. Actually… I was surprised that there was a doubles match after me as I finished the match before they did. I thought it would be a singles match and saw it the next day.

Speaking of top players, of course we have a responsibility and it depends on how each person individually deals with it and sticks to it. I always said the same thing: I am for world peace. And honestly, that’s all I can say.

– You’ve been saying you’ve been for peace for months and that’s great, but would you like the war in Ukraine to end?

– Since I think there is an answer to this question in my answer, I will say what kind of world am I in. So I’ll repeat the same answer because I guess that’s the answer to your question.

Interestingly, the moderator of the press conference tried to prevent the journalist from asking Medvedev a question about the war, but Daniil said that everything is fine – he can answer. However, the athlete from the country of terror did not say anything new…

In the quarterfinals of the tournament, Medvedev defeated Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina in straight sets. Next, Daniel will meet with Francis Tiafoe.