Could Daniil Medvedev be a ball kid? | ATP Tour

Daniil Medvedev

Could Medvedev be a ball kid?

Former World No. 1 tests new skill in Beijing

September 27, 2024

Is Daniil Medvedev too tall to be a ball kid?

The 28-year-old has long proven his prowess as a tennis player, but he tried his hand at a new role on court at the China Open.

Known as one of the most entertaining players on the ATP Tour with his light-hearted demeanour, the No. 5 player in the PIF ATP Rankings had some fun practising drills with ball kids in Beijing.

Holding his arm above his head, he admitted he was too tall for the job. The six-foot-five Medvedev joked with a smile: “I would not like to receive a ball [from] me.”

Medvedev usually knows his way pretty well around the court. Preparing to roll a ball on the floor, he said, “I tried it one time and I don’t think it’s easy”.

Daniil trying to be a ball kid in China 😂

He didn’t do too bad? 👀@DaniilMedwed | @ChinaOpen | #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/dpuUEjWYcK

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 27, 2024

The third seed defeated Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round on Friday. A finalist at the ATP 500 tournament one year ago, he will face Adrian Mannarino in the second round. He trails in the Frenchman 3-4 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“I will need to be at my best. It’s going to be also against Adrian a lot of long rallies I think,” Medvedev said after his win against Monfils. “It’s going to be interesting for people to watch. Going to be very physical.”

Currently fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, Medvedev is trying to earn his first title of the season.

“It’s been up and down. Some good moments, some a bit worse. But it’s all experience. I like generally life on Tour. I like playing. So whatever happens has happened for the best,” Medvedev said. “Still some tournaments to go. So I think in a way if I manage to play these tournaments well, I could say the season was a success.”