Ahead of the 2023 Wimbledon, Daniil Medvedev was asked about politics, and he had no problem answering the questions.
Arriving at the third major of the season, the 27-year-old can't say that he's in his peak form. After a first-round Roland Garros exit, Medvedev lost in his first round also in 's-Hertogenbosch, and ahead of Wimbledon, he recorded only two wins on the grass.
Medvedev made it to the quarterfinals in Halle, but that's where his preparations ended. Coming to the All England Club after being banned from competing last year due to his nationality, the 2021 US Open champion knew he may be facing some political questions.
The Russian arrived at the press room only a few moments after Aryna Sabalenka left it. During her press conference, the Belarusian said that she won't answer any political questions. Therefore, the Russian was asked what's his stance on similar questions.
"I feel like I can answer. I don't know, yeah, if everyone will be happy with my answers or not. Yeah, I feel like I can answer everything."
Being open and honest is one of the qualities that the former World No. 1 possesses and he's not trying to hide anything. When asked about Russian and Belarusian athletes using their platform to oppose the war, Medvedev was clear.
"Well, the thing is that I have always said that I cannot talk for other players because I have always lived like this. I don't like to force others to say anything. If anyone doesn't want to raise his voice, that's his position. Mine, I always said the same. I am for peace. Yeah, not much more to add."
One thing that can be different at every event is the way that fans approach the athlete. Medvedev had quite a few experiences with crowd that wasn't really supporting him, most famously at the 2019 US Open when he made it to the final.
"As I said, for the fans, I have no idea. I don't know. I go on the court, then I see. When I go on the court, I always try to be myself. There are definitely some tournaments where people, for whatever reason, like me less. Some tournaments I feel like I get a lot of support. That's, of course, a great feeling."
For the Russian, the formula is quite simple. Being honest and telling the truth is the simplest path to winning people over. Medvedev doesn't want to be fake, feeling that fans would see or feel it.
"The more I play tennis, the more I feel like if you try to fake something to win the fans over, first of all, they probably going to feel it, maybe if not straightaway but sooner or later. You're going to get, like, drown in these lies because you're not going to remember where you lied the last time. If you tell the truth, it's easier."
When discussing the fans at Wimbledon, Medvedev reiterated that he can't really influence the way that fans will approach him. He came to the All England Club to play tennis and that's his main focus.
"And talking about Wimbledon, as I said last year, I'm following the rules. I'm happy I'm able to play this year, a tournament I love. Hopefully I can show some good tennis and stay here for longer. Yeah, not much more to say. As I said, it's their position. It's the position of the tournament. Me, I'm just here to play tennis."
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