‘Getting spicy’ – Justine Henin hopes Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev can put spat behind them

Justine Henin is relishing the dispute between Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, but hopes the pair can “talk together” to put their spat behind them.

Speaking to Eurosport, Henin explained she thinks Medvedev has the kind of personality that can lead to trouble if he does not keep his emotions in check.

“Things are getting spicy,” she began. “It’s going to be interesting, everyone is talking about this thing between Zverev and Medvedev. It happened already in the 80s with other players, and it was nice.

“These days it looks like it’s gonna be a big story, so let’s talk about that.They don’t really like each other, they proved that. They communicate with the press, the players now, will they talk together?

“I still think it’s going to be the best that they talk together and bring back from the past. But maybe they like it, so maybe it’s the reason.

“I don’t think it was unfair but we know Daniil admits he’s human, sometimes he’s not perfect. He talked about Diego Schwartzman, I think it’s more [serious] with Zverev. Daniil sometimes can get frustrated, upset, and we don’t understand. He’s original, it’s how he expresses his feelings. I don’t want to blame him, it’s not that bad. Him as a player, his personality. Let them talk together.”

However, Henin pointed out that Zverev can also be a fiery presence.

She added: ”Every player, if we look at our past, we haven’t been perfect. We try, but with emotions, some go a little bit further than the others. Zverev last year: Terrible reaction on the court.

“Medvedev with the umpire last year wasn’t that good. The pressure is high, social media, the press, everything is going to be all over the world. It brings more pressure for the players. It’s not an excuse but it’s an explanation.”

Henin then concluded that Medvedev often uses mind games to his advantage to motivate himself, and unsettle opponents.

She explained: “Sometimes he likes to play with the opponent, with the umpire, the crowd, sometimes his team. Sometimes I don’t like what Daniil is doing on the court but he always keeps smiling but what I like about him is he’s an honest person, he will say, ‘I was wrong.’”

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