Daniil Medvedev reveals he would ‘definitely prefer’ to play in United Cup after Russian players banned

Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev said he was disappointed he could not play in the ATP-WTA United Cup.

Instead, the world No. 7 is taking part in the Adelaide International as he prepares for January’s Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event of the season.

Russian players are not permitted to take part in the team event as their country is prohibited from international tournaments as part of the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Last year Russian and Belarusians were not permitted to take part in the season’s Wimbledon Grand Slam.

Speaking at the Adelaide event to the press, he admitted that it was his second choice, but he was hoping to make the most of his opportunity.

“I would definitely prefer to play the United Cup,” he said.

“We would definitely be good favourites. But it is what it is, and I’m happy to be here in Adelaide playing in this tournament.

“I completely understand why we are not playing Davis Cup or United Cup and team competitions where we would represent our country.

“Hopefully, I can play the individual events. I play what I can play, so here I can play Adelaide, and I’m really happy about it. I want to show my best tennis.”

Novak Djokovic and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also competing in Adelaide, and Medvedev – a finalist at the last two Australian Opens – plays his first match against Italian player Lorenzo Sonego.

Medvedev also revealed that the first tournament of the season is always a nervy event.

“I feel like everybody is a little bit nervous, and that’s normal. This feeling of the first tournament of the year is really special,” he said.

“I like playing in Australia, so really looking forward to it.”

He was also happy to welcome Djokovic back to Australian tennis after his coronavirus-enforced absence for the previous two years. The Serbian former world No. 1 has missed much of the last two years because he has not provided proof that he has taken a vaccine for the coronavirus, and was deported last year from Australia in dramatic circumstances.

“I’m motivated to be in the (Adelaide) semis — and if it’s Novak there, it’s great,” Medvedev added.

“If it’s somebody else who beats him, I don’t care much. I just want to be in the semi-finals to start, and I don’t care who I play.”

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