My Wimbledon: Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev is set to make his sixth appearance at Wimbledon, where last year he earned a career-best semi-final run at the grass-court major.

The 28-year-old, No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings, holds a 13-5 record at the All England Club. Ahead of this year’s Wimbledon, ATPTour.com sat down with Medvedev to chat about his favourite memories at The Championships.

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What is your first memory of watching Wimbledon?
It would be Sharapova winning Wimbledon. I do not remember the year [2004], but I was really young. And she won it when she was like 17 or 18. So that was a huge story. I’m not even sure if she was seeded, and I think she beat Serena. I was too young, I don’t remember exactly, but it was huge. I remember watching it. It was fun.

What is your first memory of playing Wimbledon?
Playing Wimbledon as a junior. It was my first main draw of a junior Slam. The emotions that I had would not compare to right now, they were higher because I was more tired. I was more stressed. I had more adrenaline. Now, I’m kind of used to what I’m doing. At the time, it was something huge for me to be there, to see all the pros close to me, practising, getting ready for their match. It was an unbelievable feeling and I still remember how you arrive, you go on the court. I won the first match. I lost second round and there were big, big emotions.

What is your favourite Wimbledon tradition and why?
Strawberries are really good at Wimbledon, so I would say that’s definitely up there as one of my favorites. It’s very good. Strawberries are healthy if you don’t exaggerate and they’re really, really tasty, so that’s good. I think they don’t have as many [traditions] as we tend to think but all of them are pretty good and I feel like have their meaning, like strawberries.

Do you have a favourite court outside of Centre Court?
Court No. 1 for me because I don’t think I ever lost there. For whatever reason, I play pretty good there. It was my first win after being two sets to love down against Cilic. Last year I only played on this court and I think on Court No. 2 once. I played only on these courts last year until semi-finals, so I love it.

What is the greatest moment you have had at Wimbledon?
I haven’t won it and since I want to do better than semi-finals, it would be beating Wawrinka. It was my first Grand Slam victory and beating Stan, who just came after final of Roland Garros, that was a huge, huge win for me, huge emotions and part of my tennis journey. That was the first win where I [was like], ‘Okay, I can beat even guys like Stan’ and that was pretty big for me.”

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