Daniil Medvedev ‘really happy’ with Wimbledon’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players

Daniil Medvedev has voiced his delight at Wimbledon’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players this year, with the former No.1 also commenting on the All England Club’s stipulations.

Medvedev and his fellow countrymen and women were banned from The Championships and all LTA events last year, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, but will be able to play in 2023.

“Today I guess it’s official,” Medvedev said. “So I’m really happy. I always said that I love this tournament. It’s the only Grand Slam, which is surprising when we have Roland Garros, that I didn’t make quarters yet, and I want to do better.

“I think I lost, what, five sets to Hubi [Hurkacz] and to [David] Goffin maybe was third round five sets. But anyway, I had some tough losses there. I want to try to turn this around. It’s a beautiful tournament, a beautiful Grand Slam. I’m really happy that I’m going to be able to play there this year.”

Daniil Medvedev and his record at Wimbledon 

While Daniil Medvedev does not claim to be a grass court specialist, he has found some success on the natural surface before, winning a title at the Mallorca Championships in 2021.

The 27-year-old has an 8-4 win-loss record in the main draw of Wimbledon, of which he first played in 2017.

Here are Medvedev’s performances at every Wimbledon Championships he has competed at:

2016 – Lost in third qualifying round to Marcus Willis (wildcard), 6-3 5-7 3-6 4-6

2017 – Lost in second round to Ruben Bemelmans (qualifier), 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 3-6

2018 – Lost in third round to Adrian Mannarino (22), 4-6 3-6 6-4 7-5 3-6

2019 – Lost in third round to David Goffin (21), 6-4 2-6 6-3 3-6 5-7

2021 – Lost in fourth round to Hubert Hurkacz (14), 6-2 6(2)-7 6-3 3-6 3-6

Despite, Wimbledon accepting players from Russia and Belarus this year there are some conditions that come with their entry to the prestigious tournament.

In the statement from the All England Club, it was stated that all athletes from those countries will compete under a neutral flag and will have have to sign a declaration stating that they are not funded or in support of the invasion of Ukraine.

Medvedev responded to whether he would have a problems with these rules, “No, not at all.”

He continued, “I don’t have any Russian sponsors. I’m gonna play there like we played all the last year in every other tournament, to be honest. I’m happy to be there.”

“I don’t know what the crowd reaction is going to be, I cannot control it, but I will be happy to play there in front of all the people. Hopefully on big courts. Hopefully have some big, amazing matches.”

Medvedev’s current focus is on his first Miami Open final, after beating fellow Russian Karen Khachanov, 7-6(5) 3-6 6-3, in the semi-final.

Daniil Medvedev has reached the final of ????? hardcourt Grand Slam, Masters 1000 and ATP Finals tournament ?@DaniilMedwed | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/ZUpalO3wcp

— Eurosport (@eurosport) March 31, 2023

The former No.1 will play 21-year-old Jannik Sinner, who he has never lost to before, on Sunday in a bid for the fifth Masters 1000 crown of his career.

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