DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 27, 2025

Daniil Medvedev

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

T. GRIEKSPOOR/D. Medvedev

2-6, 7-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Obviously you started great, but what changed in the second set?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I think he started playing better some moments. I do think in a way he got lucky with some shots. Well, that's tennis. When I say 'lucky', he also went for it, so he deserve it. It's not like bad luck or something. Yeah, I think that's it.

I didn't really get tight or anything. I played good shots at the good moment. He made it happen for him today, which is very unfortunate because I feel like this year I can't remember one match where I 'should have lost' and kind of won the match a little bit. These matches happen. I do have, like, three or four - probably three - where I could have won and it didn't turn my way. But it's okay.

Year is long and there are going to be matches that will turn my way.

Q. What are your takeaways from this tournament? You came in sick, but it seems you were getting your level back.

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I mean, doesn't matter in the big picture because getting my level back is important, and I do believe that is the way how I'm going to get into the finals, win tournaments, et cetera.

At the same time, like, I was playing very good. I wanted to do better than quarterfinals. Again, every match is a new story.

Yeah, I do think that the last game we played, it was ridiculous how slow the balls were. I do not understand how it's not 5-7 ball change in the ATP Tour. I don't get it.

Q. Tell us what happened with the umpire. Did he give you a code violation for unsportsmanlike?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Yeah, we actually did talk already after the match. What happens on court, sometimes I go too far. Again, I'm not going to discuss too much about it. I was not happy with one of his decisions. It can happen. We talked after the match. We, how you say, calmed down the situation even if there was nothing hot or boiling. I respect him a lot.

Yeah, I maybe went just a bit too far. I don't think I said anything too bad. Maybe just went a bit too far, so actually got a code. That's it.

Q. He served and volleyed in crucial moments to save a couple match points. At some point do you think you need to step in closer because he's doing it? How difficult is it for you to change that return position?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I don't think it helps. Tallon does it a lot against many other players who stay close to the baseline.

I think if you take percentage of the points I won when he did serve and volley, I'm honestly not sure that he won less points percentage-wise against them who returned close than against me.

Again, the balls, when they fly through the air slower, it gets an advantage to the guys who volley because they have more time to react, to adapt to the shot that is going to them, when they have more time. That's a big disadvantage.

ATP doesn't seem to care.

Q. He saved three match points in his first round. Did you know that?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: No, I didn't. But it happens, yeah. As I say, luck - but it's not luck, he deserves it - it's on his side this week. Sometimes it happens you go all the way like this, a little bit crazy. Let's see where it brings him.