Daniil Medvedev explains his participation in controversial Russian exhibition
NewsSaturday, 29 November 2025 at 16:07
Many are unhappy with the players competing in a Russian exhibition. Daniil Medvedev has explained why he is among those who signed up.
Medvedev and other Russian players have not been able to play any ATP or WTA tournaments in their home country since February 2022 because of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, which remains ongoing.
When the war broke out, Medvedev said he favored peace. While stopping short of criticizing his country's government, likely because he feared the consequences, the 29-year-old made his opposition to the situation apparent.
Since the ATP and WTA's suspension of Russian tournaments, the North Palmyra Trophies in St. Petersburg have been played each year. The latest iteration began on the 29th, and there will be a second day to conclude it.
Players competing in any Russian event would cause controversy, but that is amplified by Gazprom, a majority state-owned multinational company that has helped to finance the Ukraine war, sponsoring the exhibition.
Medvedev, Alexander Bublik, Karen Khachanov, Diana Shnaider, and Yulia Putintseva are among the Russian-born players who signed up. They were joined by those from other countries, such as Tallon Griekspoor.
In an interview with Match TV, Medvedev outlined what convinced him to appear at the exhibition. He has missed playing in St. Petersburg, which hosted an ATP tournament until the war broke out, and wants to test himself against good players.
"There are many reasons. I haven't been to St. Petersburg in a long time, since 2020. I'm glad to be back - it's one of the most beautiful cities, if not the most beautiful."
"I'll try to play my best, despite the tournament's status. I prepared for it as if it were a Grand Slam, especially for the singles matches against Griekspoor and Bublik, as I lost to them this year. Yes, we'll play unofficially, but I'll try to beat them. I hope to play good tennis and for the crowd to enjoy it."
Medvedev's response made no reference to the war in Ukraine or his feelings about it, but that should not surprise anyone, since Match TV is a Russian sports television channel owned by a Gazprom subsidiary.
Tallon Griekspoor's involvement at a Russian exhibition led to a politician getting involved
The Netherlands is one of several European countries that have supported Ukraine in its fight for survival against Russia's illegal invasion, launched in February 2022. A coalition has provided weapons and aid to help.
That meant Tallon Griekspoor's decision to appear at an exhibition in St Petersburg, Russia, caused controversy. David van Weel urged the country's top-ranked player to reconsider the move for moral reasons.
The Dutch Tennis Federation also released a statement about the matter. While acknowledging Griekspoor's right to play an exhibition in Russia, it outlined its position on his doing so in private.
Almost four years have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine, meaning some may be tired of hearing about it. That is a bitter reality for Ukrainian players like Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk, who have seen their people suffer so much.
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