WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 18, 2022

Daniil Medvedev

Press Conference

D. MEDVEDEV/D. Shapovalov

7-5, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Denis is a tricky opponent. Were you happier with your level today than the first match?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Yeah, Denis is a really strong player. He has something in his shots that is not that easy to play against, because even when he does normal shots, there is pure power and pure spin coming from his shots. It's not easy to adapt sometimes.

I felt like I could miss some shots because of this, but in general, managed to be pretty constant. Got a lot of break opportunities. Broke first in the first set. Served pretty well even in the game where I lost my serve.

In general, happy with my level and looking forward to the next matches.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. What's your position regarding on-court coaching? Does it change anything with Gilles and the way you communicate with him?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: For us, not, because -- I mean, it can maybe one match, not yet, not yet, work because you know we work this way that we try to work a lot on practices, to talk, to see what we can do better; him in terms of exercise or telling me something, me in terms of playing and hitting the ball.

During the match, I don't really see how a coach can help, like in some other sports, you know, there is tactics is so important. Here, I mean, when the tennis match is there, I guess it can be one match out of five where suddenly he's going to be, like, Change your position on return, or, Go more to his backhand, if he sees it from the outside.

So I think it can be a game-changer sometimes. In the same time, many matches is, let's say I play Fritz tomorrow, it's our first encounter, still, I know how he plays and he knows how I play. I don't think on-court coaching tomorrow is going to make a huge difference.

But in general, I'm okay with it, like I was never against it. It's just that if -- I mean, the rule is that if I'm on the side, if I understand it right, he shouldn't do it, like the opponent's coach. That's what they should respect. And if not, I think it's fine.

Q. In Montreal, you mentioned this tournament is in the middle of nowhere. Wonder what your first impressions were when you came around here, which is I think a different place from what a lot of players have been to.

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Yeah, I like it. I mean, when I say it's in the middle of nowhere, it's kind of true, but I like it. I like it here in Cincinnati. Already know a lot of places like around where I stay, good restaurants, good breakfast places, which is not easy to find straightaway. It's not that obvious. A lot of fast food, which is good taste but for the tournament is not perfect because maybe on the match I'm not going to feel the best (smiling).

Yeah, every time I come here, honestly I'm happy. It's a little bit different. But we know we are coming to New York next week, so it's also like, yeah, if you would stay two months in New York, not sure you would play good US Open. It's completely fine. Yeah, I'm always happy to come back here.

Q. You are the No. 1 seed. Were you surprised to be scheduled on the Grandstand today? Did you feel any difference between the center court and the Grandstand in terms of speed?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Not much, but of course it's always a little bit different, like even if the court is the same, just the stand can make it different, like -- I actually have no explanation scientifically why, but you always know that if you play small court, it's different. Even any like Armstrong and Arthur Ashe, they are different, for whatever reason.

No, I was not surprised at all, because we were talking about this yesterday with the tour manager and Eric, and it was a little bit tricky decision for them with all the doubles going on, with Rafa normally, I mean, that is he was playing late so you should consider him in terms of ranking as if he wins, so finally he lost.

So they explain me why they have to put me there. I'm completely fine when I get an explanation. Yeah, probably tomorrow on center against Fritz.

Q. What do you think about the balls here? US Open is the only slam where men and women have different tennis balls. I wonder what you think of these and if you have ever hit with the women's balls?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: The only slam, really? Oh, I didn't know. I thought it's more tournaments where they have different balls. They usually like make it a little bit like here it's red for women, so when you practice together, you know.

I'm actually surprised it's the only slam. I thought it's much more, many more times like this. I didn't play with women's balls so I have nothing to say. I have no idea what's the difference.

Me, I like Wilson US Open balls, so if it's because it's different to women, I'm happy, but, yeah, not much more to say.

Q. What do you like about them?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I like that they are fast. And when they get older, so when it's seven, nine, so when you play like fifth or sixth game or eighth and ninth game, these balls, in my opinion, they don't lose that much spin because -- it's tough to explain, they go a little bit smaller and they go bald in a way.

For example, Dunlop balls, which I like a little bit less but still able to play good in Australia, they have, after two games, they become huge and hairy. I don't really like it, because then you are like at one moment you are just balls hitting full power, and trying, yeah, to rip the ball.

I prefer this more, but it's also normal that, yeah, we have different balls, and somebody going to be here telling how he likes Dunlop balls and doesn't like Wilson US Open.

Q. Obviously they change like every year. Different swings and different tournaments have different balls. What's the challenge of that? Also in terms of injuries and stuff.

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: In terms of injuries, tough for me to say. For me, yeah, sometimes when it's humid and at the same time heavy balls that go big and hairy, sometimes for the elbow and the shoulder can be tough, because they just seem heavier in a way. But same; maybe some players are going to say that these balls make them painful. So tough to say.

If not, yeah, it's actually very tough for any tennis player, different surfaces. So, for example, for me, I still didn't find a way to really play good in Miami and Indian Wells even if Miami I feel like I play a little bit better.

Miami, my best is quarterfinals. Indian Wells I never went past the third round and consider myself a good hard court player (smiling).

Yeah, it's same for everybody. Somebody likes this court; somebody doesn't like this one. Me, I would prefer that every court is like US Open, but I also understand that this is not fair in a way, like you cannot -- even clay courts are different.

So it's a very tough part of the job where you have to adapt and try to win match no matter the surface, no matter the balls.