The US Open organisers have prepared a surprise for Daniil Medvedev. After the Russian won in the round of 16 against Nuno Borges, well-known tennis player Nick Kyrgios stepped onto the court. The Australian has not played properly since October 2022. In 2023 he was limited to just one match, in which he was defeated, and this year he did not play any matches. He has not officially retired, so it can be expected that Medvedev and Kyrgios will one day meet on the court as rivals.
Nick is one of the most uncomfortable opponents for Daniil. In personal matches he leads with a score of 4-1. The first meeting, at the Rome Masters in 2019, turned out to be scandalous. The Australian turned his back on his opponent right during the fight.
Kyrgios – Medvedev match
Photo: Frame from the broadcast.
Medvedev broke his racket in that match and was eventually defeated 3:6, 6:3, 3:6.
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The second meeting took place in the final in Washington in 2019. Kyrgios managed to do something strange at that tournament, but in the final he behaved generally well. There was also a funny moment: on match point, Nick asked a fan where he should serve. The Australian tennis player finished the match with two aces in a row: 7:6 (8:6), 7:6 (7:4).
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In 2020 and 2021, the rivals did not meet at tournaments. And in 2022, three meetings took place at once. At the Australian Open, Medvedev broke the resistance of Kyrgios, who was supported by almost the entire arena: 7:6 (7:1), 6:4, 4:6, 6:2. During the match, the Australian grabbed a towel intended for the Russian from the bench. Nick also broke his racket and Medvedev, who had served well that day (31 aces!), was whistled at. At the post-match press conference, Kyrgios joked to himself: “What am I going to have for dinner? I don’t know, man… Daniel’s damn serve, right in my throat.”
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Kyrgios has since backed Medvedev more than once. In the situation of the suspension of Wimbledon 2022, he sided with Russian tennis players in general and Daniil Medvedev in particular. “My personal opinion is that I don’t think the suspension is a good idea. As an athlete, I want to compete with them. Disappointed that they won’t be here. It’s strange that Daniil Medvedev won’t play at Wimbledon. We all know what he’s capable of,” Eurosport quotes the Australian as saying.
And after the match at the Montreal Masters (6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 6-2 in favour of Kyrgios), Nick supported Medvedev, who had a conflict with one of the fans. “Disgusting behaviour. Daniil is the best of our sport, the fans must show respect,” he wrote on social media.
This time, Kyrgios did not mock Medvedev in any way, but conducted the interview calmly and professionally.
Kyrgyz: Why do you like playing in New York? You are one of the best in the world on this court.
Medvedev: I love playing here. That crazy tournament in 2019, especially the final against Rafa [Надаля]To be honest, wherever we played with him, the stands were completely behind him. Once we played during Covid, there were no spectators. And it still felt like they were for him.
Kyrgyz: Over the past five years you have been one of the most consistent players. How much work does it take to achieve this?
Medvedev: I try to work hard. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. There are days when it’s harder to get on the court and practice. I have the mentality that if the other guy trains more than me, then I have less chances to win and I always want to win. That’s why I try to train as much as possible. I had a lot of success at the US Open. The last time I lost was in the fourth round… Against you, right? Good memories.
Kyrgios won that match 7:6 (13:11), 3:6, 6:3, 6:2. Medvedev then competed as the reigning US Open winner.
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Daniil also told Nick that he already knows what he will do if he wins the Grand Slam tournament.
Kyrgyz: You won here and you held amazing press conferences. And that’s why you celebrated when you won, saying that only legends know that. Do you have another celebration of some kind planned if you keep winning?
Medvedev: I think I know what I want to do if I win my next Slam. When I win, I hope. I came close a couple of times, but I couldn’t celebrate. It’s better to win the matches first and then the celebrations. Well, what about the press conferences? I hope I can win more matches. Then there will be more opportunities to talk or do something crazy.
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Medvedev beat Sinner in the US Open quarter-finals. And Samsonova lost to the world’s No. 1 player.
The US Open will end on September 8. Follow all the events of the tournament in the “Championship”.
