LOS ANGELES – Russian Daniil Medvedev said he wanted “peace around the world” on Wednesday at Indian Wells, where he will show his new position as the No. 1 in the world on the field.
“My message is always the same, I want peace around the world,” the Australian Open finalist told a news conference, depriving him of the Russian flag next to his name.
The tennis authorities have indeed decided that Russian and Belarusian players can not compete under their own name or the flag of their country after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a situation in which they are forced to host Daniil Medvedev.
“I want to play tennis, to play in different countries, I want to promote my sport,” the 26-year-old commented. Right now the situation is such that it’s the only way I can play, so that’s what I’m going to do. »
Defeated in Australia by Rafael Nadal, who won the 21st Grand Slam title against him and after the same player in the semifinals in Acapulco, could find the Spaniard in the semifinals and in the Indian Wells from where Novak Djokovic was absent due to Kadonov of the United States for COVID.
Medvedev acknowledged that there was “a lot of pressure” to play No. 1 in the world “but at the same time a lot of motivation”.
“The Australian Open with me mature,” added the Russian, who was fined $ 12,000 for being angry with a referee in the semifinal against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. “I realized that I had a lot to work with myself. »
