Daniil Medvedev on Sunday admitted he would moderately be taking part in on the combined groups United Cup than the Adelaide International, however the Russian intends to benefit from the season-opening occasion.
The Monte Carlo-based world quantity seven and his compatriots are unable to compete within the ATP-WTA United Cup in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Medvedev stated it was disappointing, however there was nothing he may do.
“I would definitely prefer to play the United Cup,” stated the Adelaide third seed behind Novak Djokovic and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
“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.
“I completely understand why we are not playing Davis Cup or United Cup and team competitions where we would represent our country.
“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.”
Medvedev, a finalist on the final two Australian Opens, will begin towards Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
World crises apart, the previous world primary stated he was coping with the standard start-of-year jitters.
“I feel like everybody is a little bit nervous, and that’s normal. This feeling of the first tournament of the year is really special,” he stated.
“I like playing in Australia, so really looking forward to it”
Since defeating Djokovic for the 2021 US Open title, Medvedev has been overwhelmed 3 times by the Serb, who’s again in Australia after being deported a 12 months in the past for attempting to enter with out a Covid vaccination exemption.
With the foundations now relaxed, the 35-year-old is competing in Adelaide and is free to pursue a attainable tenth title at Melbourne Park this month.
“I’m motivated to be in the (Adelaide) semis — and if it’s Novak there, it’s great,” Medvedev stated.
“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.”
Medvedev, the winner of two titles final season, half-heartedly endorsed the late United Cup pullout of Nick Kyrgios, with the controversial Australian citing an damage
“You never know if he’s really injured,” Medvedev stated.
“He’s had some problems with his body in the past, so if he wants to preserve his body before the Australian Open, that’s completely normal.
“If I was (playing) the United Cup and I got injured before the tournament, I would withdraw.”