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Daniil Medvedev has admitted that behaviour of some of his rivals has left him asking: “Who do you think you are?” Medvedev was once one of the tour’s up-and-coming prospects. He contested the inaugural Next Gen Finals in 2017, part of a field that also included Andrey Rublev and Denis Shapovalov. He’s since enjoyed a Hall of Fame-worthy career, winning the 2021 US Open and reaching No. 1 in the world. Medvedev has also won 23 other titles, including the ATP Finals and six Masters 1000s. Now, aged 30, he’s the oldest man sitting inside this week’s top 10.
The current world No. 5 has gone from being a rising star to a veteran of the tour, and someone who can offer valuable advice to his younger colleagues. But Medvedev knows that giving guidance is something of a balancing act. And there are some players he won’t bother with.
“I guess I’m not that kind of person for anyone, but I do sometimes try to help younger players if there is a young player that I like as a person,” he told BB Tennis. “I might offer to help because they are all different.
“Some of them hit a winner and act like, ‘hahaha’. And I’m thinking, ‘Who do you think you are?’ I don’t really feel like helping guys like that.”
However, the former US Open champion is still happy to be there as a sounding board for those who want it. He continued: “But there are others, and I will just say to them, ‘Listen, if you have any questions, let me know.’
“I don’t really like people who give me advice when I haven’t asked for it. There are people like that and I usually try to avoid them, so I don’t want to be that kind of person myself. That’s why I just say, ‘Listen, if you ever need any help, just let me know’. But again, right now, I don’t think there is anyone like that.”
Part of the reason Medvedev is happy to offer guidance to up-and-coming players is because he knows what it feels like to be in their position. The former world No. 1 has often credited Novak Djokovic for being kind to him when he was much younger and lower in the rankings, and he wants to carry that forward.
“As for who helped me, well, Novak helped me out once. There was that interesting story involving the Davis Cup and the private jet. Novak is actually someone who really enjoys helping young players, and of course, when that help comes from someone who won 24 Grand Slam titles – even though I’m a great player myself and all that – I’m pretty sure someone would appreciate it if I offered help.”
Djokovic famously allowed Medvedev to join him on his private jet as they headed to a Davis Cup tie in 2017, and the Russian has often lauded the 39-year-old for his generosity.
Speaking at the Australian Open a couple of years ago, Medvedev explained: “He can be tough on the court, like I can be. He can be this and that. But me, since the first time I met him, I was No. 400 in the world. Now I'm No. 3 in the world. I was No. 1 in the world.
“I feel like he treats me like before. For sure, I became more of a rival than before for him. But the treatment off-court when we see each other is the same. I like this about him. I find this very good from him as a person.”
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