Tennis

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1 tennis player, has been honored with tennis courts named after him in Maisons-Laffitte, France, where he trained from 2014-16. The project was initiated by Claude Kopélianskis, deputy mayor of the town, and Jean-Pascal Dupuis, president of the Tennis-Squash de Maisons-Laffitte.Medvedev, who was born in Russia but settled in France as a teenager, expressed his gratitude for the honor. "To give my name, I said yes straight away, because I have good feelings with this club and this city," he said.The club holds a special place in Medvedev's heart. "For the first team match that I came to play at Maisons-Laffitte, you welcomed me into your home, without knowing me. You welcomed me as if I were a loved one," he recalled.Medvedev's connection to French culture extends beyond tennis. "I speak French, I have all the team that is French. I think it's been already long time that I have a lot of French in me," he said.The naming of the courts is a testament to Medvedev's impact on the club and the community. "We kept a warm relationship with him, and one year and a half ago he came to me and said he had this idea where I play for the club, he wants to build a really great indoor courts and name them after me," said Dupuis.Medvedev's presence at the dedication ceremony was a special moment for the club and its members. He took selfies with youngsters, signed autographs, and shared his experiences with those who have supported him throughout his career.The courts named after Medvedev will serve as a reminder of his achievements and his connection to the club and the town of Maisons-Laffitte. They will also inspire future generations of tennis players to strive for excellence.