By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Master of misdirection Daniil Medvedev is skilled at making opponents unsettled.
Stepping onto No. 1 Court in his Wimbledon return today, Medvedev was entering uncertain territory.
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The 2021 US Open champion, along with fellow Russians and Belarusians, was banned from Wimbledon last year.
The third-seeded Medvedev said he was pleasantly surprised by the positive response fans gave him before, during and after his 7-5, 6-4, 6-3, win over British wild card Arthur Fery.
"For different reasons it could be possible that the reception would not be as great as it was," Medvedev said. "We came in at the same time with Arthur, so they were cheering. I was like, For him? For both? How is it?
"Then at one moment I think either when we went to the referee or something, I was kind of the first one, or I was the second one to come, and they were cheering me on in a way. I was like, Okay, that's surprising."
Inspired by the good vibes and the best reception he's received at SW19, Medvedev vowed to try to "give back" to in gratitude.
"Yeah, there was zero let's say negative energy that I felt," Medvedev said. "I never had such a good reception at Wimbledon. It's much better than I had before. So that's great. I'm going to try to give them back, if I can say this."
The man who once tossed coins at the feet of a Wimbledon chair umpire in protest of decision, said "giving back" means delivering his best tennis.
"Not getting crazy and let's say - how can I explain it - not being probably a selfish kid on the court," Medvedev said. "Sometimes I can be. I'm going to try to give back people here in Wimbledon and just try to show some good tennis. Even if I don't, leave the court and finish the tournament."
Medvedev will try to keep moving forward against either Adrian Mannarino or Alexander Shevchenko in round two.
Though he played on No. 1 Court today, outside-the-box thinker Medvedev believes his grass game works best on Wimbledon's outer courts.
"I remember when I started playing on grass, it was more like challengers and outside courts. They're usually faster and the ball is sliding more," Medvedev said. "I felt like my flat strokes, just natural ones, were really beneficial on grass.
"When playing on center courts, I feel them very slow. Only serve is going fast. I feel like people who actually spin the ball are actually easier on grass than playing flat. That's a little bit surprising.
"That's where I'm still trying to find the exact way of how should I play. That's the best tournament where I can try to make it, so let's see. The further the draw, the stronger the opponents. Let's see if I can manage to find something and go far."
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport