MUBADALA CITI DC OPEN

July 23, 2025

Daniil Medvedev

Quick Quotes

D. MEDVEDEV/R. Opelka

3-6, 7-5, 6-1

Q. When someone was yelling help in the stands, what was going through your mind?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Yeah, first of all, I hope the person is fine. I couldn't even see if it's a she or he. I hope the person is fine.

If we talk strictly about tennis, it helped me, because when we have the changeovers, it's kind of a routine. We have 1 minute 30, okay, I need to eat, I need to put ice towel, I need to drink, this and that. And here it was maybe 3 minutes or something like this.

So you have more time to reflect, and somehow it helped me just be better after. Like after this on the game of return, I managed to somehow get more returns in in the play. So it helped me reset.

But yeah, I mean, the stands are not easy when it's like that hot. It's full sun. So I just hope the person is fine.

Q. I think you're about 6'6" and Opelka is maybe 6'11"?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: He's big.

Q. That was a pretty tall match, if you want to call it that. There has been some talk about that's where tennis is going in terms of tennis athletes becoming taller. What do you think about this sentiment? Do you think tennis players, the taller they are, it's almost better?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I think in general, yeah, there are more tall players than before, especially it's funny, when people see me in the outside, a lot of them, when they ask for a picture, they're, like, Oh, you're so tall.

What they don't understand is we are all tall. So when you look at all of us, we don't seem tall anymore. We are all the same height. When they see us in real life, they get surprised.

Yeah, there is always place for everyone. Carlos is not that tall, I don't know in feet, but he's smaller, and he's an amazing player. Even Jannik is not, you know, not 6'6". So I don't know what to say, but definitely taller guys move better than before.

Q. Your first time back here in six years since your run to the finals that kind of jump-started a pretty good summer for yourself. What are your memories, feels like a while ago, but thinking about that run to the final here?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Yeah, that's long ago but it doesn't feel like it. I love Washington as a city, so I'm really happy to come back.

Of course when you play good in Wimbledon, there is -- no, it's tougher to come back here, and that's why I didn't come back since how many years. First-round exit was an easy choice to come to Washington, and I'm happy I can play well here.

Q. I saw on Instagram you have a new updated edition of the Tecnifibre racquets. How's that been playing like? In these conditions, how do you adjust your strings to kind of match that?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Yeah, it's still the same racquet. It's just a different color, which is great. It changes up. And even a lot of players tell me they like the new color, which is rare. Usually we don't talk about other racquets.

It's pretty fun. I like the bag a lot. It's cool. Inside it's tougher to see but it's like this Tiffany blue, so pretty fun.

But about the strings, I generally kind of try to not change the tension too much. That's how I am. But still, you just put it up a little bit because it's so hot so the ball is flying low.

Q. As the match went on today, you started having a lot more success against his serve. What do you think made the difference? Was it easier to return on the side that didn't have that camera back there?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Yeah, the camera should not be there. I was trying to kind of play with it, meaning if I thought he was going to go to the backhand, I knew that I have to stay two steps forward. But whenever he made a good kick, I was (indiscernible).

I don't see why it's there. Again, maybe against another opponents, it will not bother me because I'm going to be tiny bit closer, because Reilly is probably the biggest server. But when you're playing against Reilly, you're a little bit disappointed, because there can be important points which you lose because of the camera. It's not fair, anyway. It's just not fair.

In terms of getting used to, yeah, during the match, I was trying to find solutions to his serve, and I managed to do it step by step and I was returning better and better, so I'm happy about it.

Q. I'm curious about the Olympics last year, playing Sara Errani who has maybe the worst serve in tennis, and you really struggled against her. Wondering what that was like for you, and if you would like the chance for revenge at the US Open?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Yeah, first of all, I'd like to play Sara in singles (smiling). Maybe with this serve I could have done better because you have bigger court.

No, they play amazing, with Andrea. I think they won for sure US Open last year but maybe like Indian Wells or something else I think they won this year, or maybe Roland Garros? French Open, yeah, exactly.

They have this good chemistry where of course maybe it would be even better if she would serve better, and Andrea takes big space at the net, so at one moment it stresses you. I remember at the beginning of the match I was returning her serve well, and we got a bit unlucky with Mirra not to break, and then step by step during the match, I felt so much pressure that I have to do good with this serve that I actually was suddenly struggling.

For sure would love to play them in US Open. It's going to be fun event. Whoever we have, we're going to try to do better than in Olympics.

Q. Have you ever seen anything like it before? Returning a serve that's like less than 100 kilometers per hour?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I think Learner was serving second serve pretty slowly. Learner Tien, Australian Open. But I don't remember.

Some second serves can be slow. Frances Tiafoe sometimes does it on purpose, can do a very slow second serve. In singles it doesn't bother me. I probably prefer a slower serve than a faster serve in singles. For example, playing against Reilly.

Q. If you were to start a business with any player on the tour, who would it be and what would it be?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: That's actually a funny question. Never got this one. Business. To find someone who is like a little bit chill. I don't want someone to lose all my money, a guy could make millions but also lose all your money.

You know, someone like Jannik, cold-headed, cool-headed, great player. For sure get (indiscernible) so would be good to open a business with him.

Q. What did you spend your first paycheck on?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: First paycheck. Tough to say, but probably if we're talking something big, I like cars. So the car was a big purchase for me.