Tennis

Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, two tennis stars who have traded barbs in the past, have put their differences aside to compete for Team Europe at the Laver Cup 2024 in Berlin.Despite their previous rivalry, Zverev and Medvedev are now united under the leadership of captain Bjorn Borg, alongside other top players like Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Casper Ruud."Normally, we always meet in the final rounds of a tournament and give everything to beat each other," said Zverev. "Now we're here as a team with one goal: to win the Laver Cup."Medvedev echoed Zverev's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of team unity. "We support each other more than ever before," he said. "In the past, we've had some matches and arguments, but that's forgotten a month later."Despite their newfound camaraderie, Zverev and Medvedev have different approaches to supporting their teammates. While Medvedev actively provides advice during matches, Zverev prefers to observe and analyze."Coaching is not my thing," said Medvedev. "I prefer to watch and observe."Grigor Dimitrov has emerged as a key support figure for Medvedev, offering guidance during his singles match against Frances Tiafoe."We talked about where I could serve because Tiafoe read my serve quite well," said Medvedev. "Even though I lost the match, I still want to discuss it sometimes afterwards."Despite trailing 4-8 after the second day of play, Team Europe remains optimistic about their chances of victory. The mutual respect and support among the team members suggest that they have overcome their past differences and are determined to succeed together.

Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, is known for his authenticity and unfiltered nature. In an interview at the Terra Wortmann Open, Medvedev shared his thoughts on being true to himself, the impact of social media, and the lessons he's learned from fatherhood.Medvedev believes that being authentic means not lying about oneself and knowing what one wants in life. He acknowledges that his emotions can be intense, but he doesn't try to hide them. He understands that some people may perceive him as arrogant or angry, but he remains true to his character.Medvedev reflects on how social media has changed the way players are perceived. In the past, players could avoid negative feedback unless it was expressed directly to their face. Now, with the constant barrage of opinions on social media, players are often subjected to hurtful messages.Despite the potential for negativity, Medvedev refuses to change his ways. He believes that it's important to be true to oneself, even if it means facing criticism. He strives to achieve a state of mind where he can be authentic and not care about what others think.Medvedev's journey as a father has also influenced his perspective. The birth of his daughter, Alisa, has taught him patience and compassion. He realizes that he needs to be more open-minded and willing to repeat himself without raising his voice.Medvedev's stubbornness is a trait that he sees in his daughter as well. He believes that it's important to accept help from others, but that it's ultimately up to the individual to decide when they need it.As Medvedev continues his pursuit of success on the court, he remains focused on his personal growth. He knows that Alisa will be watching, and he wants to be the best father he can be.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner overcame a slow start to defeat Tommy Paul 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-1 in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open on Monday evening. The victory sets up an intriguing quarterfinal clash with 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev.Sinner, who won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year, trailed Paul by a quick double break in the opening set. However, the Italian regrouped and won four straight games to take the momentum. He ultimately advanced into his second quarterfinal in Flushing Meadows after two hours and X minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.Paul, seeded 14th, proved to be a major challenge for Sinner. The American had reached the second week of the US Open for the second consecutive year and had posted impressive results at other major tournaments, including quarterfinal finishes at Wimbledon and the Summer Olympic Games.In the second set, Sinner and Paul traded holds of serve to reach another tiebreaker. Paul brought the crowd to its feet when he edged ahead by a mini-break, but Sinner broke back and benefitted from a pair of return misses from Paul to claim the second set in just over two hours.Sinner parlayed that advantage into a commanding 3-0 lead in the third set. Paul fought back, but Sinner remained focused and closed out the match in straight sets."I'm really happy with the way I played today," Sinner said. "Tommy is a great player, and he made me work for it. But I'm glad I was able to come through in the end."Medvedev, who lost to Sinner in the Australian Open final but won their most recent meeting at Wimbledon, will be a formidable opponent in the quarterfinals."I will try to think more about Wimbledon than Australian Open," Medvedev joked. "But against Jannik...I feel like in a way we know our game, what we will try to bring on the table."Hopefully we can have a great match. I know if I want to beat him, I need to be at my best, which I managed to do couple of times. It's going to be a great match."

Daniil Medvedev, Jack Draper, and Iga Swiatek Advance at the US OpenDaniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, has defied expectations by reaching the third round of the US Open despite recent struggles. Despite concerns about his serve, Medvedev has dropped only one set in two matches, showcasing his exceptional defensive skills. His next opponent, Flavio Cobolli, is a rising star known for his explosive tennis. Cobolli has impressed this summer, reaching the Citi Open final and defeating top players like Felix Auger Aliassime and Tommy Paul. Medvedev's serve remains a question mark, but his ability to disrupt opponents' rhythm could prove decisive.Jack Draper, the 25th seed, faces a tough challenge in Botic Van de Zandschulp, who stunned Carlos Alcaraz in the second round. Van de Zandschulp's aggressive style and familiarity with the US Open courts make him a formidable opponent. However, Draper's powerful serve and left-handed advantage could give him an edge.In the women's draw, Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1, will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a rematch of their lopsided encounter in Rome last year. Pavlyuchenkova, a former Roland Garros finalist, has shown signs of improvement recently, reaching the quarterfinals in Cincinnati. Her ability to hit with pace from both wings could pose a threat to Swiatek, who has occasionally struggled on her forehand side.

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, is known for his on-court performances and his equally entertaining off-court commentary. His matches are a spectacle, featuring not only his exceptional tennis but also his witty and often sarcastic remarks.Medvedev's unique personality first gained attention in 2019 when he famously told a hostile crowd at the US Open, "I want all of you to know when you sleep tonight, I won because of you." This sarcastic line, coupled with his animated gestures, became a defining moment in his career.Over the years, Medvedev has continued to entertain fans with his humorous antics. He has equated the atmosphere at the US Open to an Italian restaurant, joked about the slowness of the BNP Paribas Open's hard courts, and complained about the extreme heat conditions at last year's US Open.Medvedev's humor is not just for show. It serves as a coping mechanism for his inner tension and a way to air his grievances. He believes that a bit of sarcasm and humor can diffuse tense situations and make headlines.However, Medvedev is not immune to criticism. He has been accused of being too sarcastic and disrespectful. But he remains unapologetic, stating that he enjoys the spotlight and has no problem speaking his mind.Medvedev's off-court antics have made him a fan favorite. He has embraced his memeability and recognizes that his memorable moments on the microphone will be part of his legacy.Despite his efforts to be more "Calma" in 2024, Medvedev admits that he still has moments of frustration and humor. He believes that entertainment will always be a part of his game.

Daniil Medvedev's US Open preparations suffered a setback as he crashed out in the opening round of the National Bank Open in Canada. The former US Open champion, seeded third, fell to 42nd-ranked Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.Davidovich Fokina, who had never beaten Medvedev before, entered the match with a 0-4 record against the Russian. However, he had defeated Medvedev's doubles partner, Roman Safiullin, in Montreal.The Spaniard, who missed Wimbledon due to a back injury, has been in impressive form this summer, reaching the quarterfinals in Atlanta and the round of 16 in Washington, D.C.Medvedev's defeat was part of a surprising trend in the tournament, with all four seeds in Davidovich Fokina's quarter of the draw being eliminated in the round of 32. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Ugo Humbert, and Karen Khachanov also suffered early exits.Davidovich Fokina will now face Matteo Arnaldi in the second round, with a potential semifinal berth on the line.Medvedev, meanwhile, will continue playing in doubles with Safiullin. The pair advanced to the quarterfinals after winning a 10-point match tiebreaker. Medvedev will then turn his attention to the next Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati.Another prominent player, Tommy Paul, also suffered a first-round defeat, losing to Brandon Nakashima 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-1.However, top seeds Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, and Grigor Dimitrov all advanced in straight sets. Sinner, who withdrew from the Olympic Games due to tonsillitis, defeated Borna Coric 6-2, 6-4.In the women's draw in Toronto, top seed Coco Gauff defeated Yafan Wang 6-4, 6-4. The American was joined in victory by compatriots Emma Navarro, Taylor Townsend, and Peyton Stearns.

The National Bank Open, an ATP Masters 1000 hard-court tournament, kicks off in Montreal on August 6th. With Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz absent, the field boasts a star-studded lineup including Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev.The tournament's fast court conditions favor power players and big servers. Past champions include Rafael Nadal (2018-2019), Daniil Medvedev (2021), and Pablo Carreno Busta (2022).Players to Watch:* Daniil Medvedev (+600): The former world No. 1 returns to hard courts after a disappointing Olympics. He faces a favorable draw until a potential fourth-round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas.* Taylor Fritz (+2500): The American has a clear path to a deep run, with winnable matches against Sebastian Korda, Casper Ruud, and Alexander Zverev.* Jannik Sinner (+150): The Italian is the favorite despite recent health issues. His elite serving and returning abilities make him a formidable opponent on fast surfaces.Pick to Win:Jannik Sinner (+150) is the player to beat in Montreal. His absence of rivals Djokovic and Alcaraz, combined with his exceptional skills on fast courts, makes him the most likely candidate for victory.

Daniil Medvedev, the enigmatic Russian tennis star, has acknowledged his struggles in adapting his exceptional singles prowess to the complexities of doubles at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.Medvedev, known for his self-deprecating humor, quipped, "Sometimes I can play doubles well, but in principle four people on the court disturbs me." After partnering with compatriot Mirra Andreeva in a 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Italians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, Medvedev admitted to making uncharacteristic mistakes. "I make mistakes on those balls that I never make mistakes on in singles, although the court is smaller."The 2021 US Open champion expressed disappointment in his inability to showcase his versatility. "I wanted to prove to myself that I can. But I couldn't. It always hurts, but it happens. That's life."Competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete, Medvedev is making his second Olympic appearance. In Tokyo 2020, he reached the quarterfinals in men's singles. The No. 4 seed remains in contention in singles after a comfortable victory over Rinky Hijikata.However, doubles proved to be a different challenge, even alongside Andreeva, who recently reached the semifinals of Roland Garros. Fans captured Medvedev's occasional awkward moments on the court against Errani, known for her slow serve.Despite his doubles setback, Medvedev will continue his Olympic journey in the singles second round against Austria's Sebastian Ofner. The Russian star will be eager to prove his mettle in the more familiar territory of singles competition.

Daniil Medvedev's Wimbledon semifinal match against Carlos Alcaraz was marred by a heated exchange with chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore, which resulted in a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. The incident sparked a fierce debate on social media and raised questions about the level of disrespect towards umpires in tennis.Medvedev's outburst occurred after Alcaraz hit a dropshot that he struggled to track down, leading to a "not up" call from Asderaki-Moore. The call gave Alcaraz a crucial break back, prompting Medvedev to utter something to the umpire.Although Medvedev's exact words remain unclear, lip-reading experts suggested he may have said "fck you." Asderaki-Moore consulted with the supervisor and issued a code violation. Medvedev went on to win the first set but ultimately lost the match 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.In a post-match press conference, Medvedev dodged questions about his comments, claiming he said "something in Russian" that was "not unpleasant." However, the incident has reignited discussions about the appropriate level of respect for umpires in tennis.Just months earlier, Medvedev's compatriot Andrey Rublev was defaulted from a semifinal match in Dubai for allegedly calling a line judge a "fcking moron" in Russian. Video review later revealed that Rublev did not actually use the expletive.Other recent incidents include Hubert Hurkacz's mid-match rant against umpire Alison Hughes at Roland Garros and Jelena Ostapenko's numerous viral outbursts against umpires.The controversy has also raised questions about the use of video replay in tennis. Medvedev himself advocated for a challenge system to resolve contentious calls, arguing that it would eliminate situations like the one he faced."The challenge system shows a bounce. So if there was a bounce, it would show it," Medvedev said. "If we use it, we would never have this situation."Despite the ongoing debate, major tennis tournaments continue to resist the implementation of video replay. The lack of technology leaves players vulnerable to potentially incorrect calls, which can have significant consequences in high-stakes matches like Wimbledon semifinals.