Russia isn't allowed to compete at the Davis Cup or Billie Jean King Cup, and they were excluded also from the inaugural United Cup and Daniil Medvedev understands it.
Players from Russia and Belarus were banned from all team competitions where they would represent their country. Some events took it even a step further and banned them also from individual competition, such as this year's Wimbledon.
When Daniil Medvedev, the highest-ranked Russian player, arrived to Adelaide, where he's set to kick-off his season, he was naturally asked about the ongoing United Cup, where his country is not allowed to compete.
“I would definitely prefer to play the United Cup,” Medvedev 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."
Despite a clear desire to compete in the new team competition, the Russian explained that he completely understands his country's exclusion, as he said:
“I completely understand why we are not playing Davis Cup or United Cup and team competitions where we would represent our country," he said. "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.”
At the 2023 Adelaide International 1, where he's set to begin his season, Medvedev can meet the 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. Speaking ahead of their possible clash, he said:
"I’m motivated to be in the (Adelaide) semis – and if it’s Novak there, it’s great,” Medvedev said.“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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