Daniil Medvedev revealed his regret over the “low IQ” sledge aimed at parts of the Australian Open crowd last year while also admitting he would rather be playing at the mixed teams United Cup than the Adelaide International.
The Monte Carlo-based world number seven and his compatriots are unable to compete in the ATP-WTA United Cup in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Medvedev said it was disappointing, but there was nothing he could do.
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“I would definitely prefer to play the United Cup,” said 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 at the last two Australian Opens, will start against Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
World crises aside, the former world number one said he was dealing with the usual 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 said.
“I like playing in Australia, so really looking forward to it.”
Medvedev also clarified his “low IQ” sledge aimed at some fans who booed during his four-set second round win over Australian rival Nick Kyrgios at last year’s Australian Open.
“Out of the 13,000 who were there because the stadium was packed, this comment maybe was to 50 people max, so that’s the first thing,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Medvedev also added that the comment was “probably not smart” while also revealing he was looking forward to getting another shot at Kyrgios after last year’s US Open defeat.
Kyrgios took a four-set victory over Medvedev at Arthur Ashe Stadium last year in one of the more impressive victories of his career.
“I feel like when I play him, it’s a great match-up,” Medvedev told The Herald.
“I would like to play him more, to try to do better than last year, and definitely at the US Open, he was not easy to handle, so I want to try to get my revenge, if I have the chance.”
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It is not just Kyrgios standing in the way of Medvedev’s title dreams at Melbourne Park though with Djokovic also to feature after missing last year’s event.
Since defeating Djokovic for the 2021 US Open title, Medvedev has been beaten three times by the Serb, who is back in Australia after being deported a year ago for trying to enter without a Covid vaccination exemption.
With the rules now relaxed, the 35-year-old is competing in Adelaide and is free to pursue a possible 10th 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 said.
“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.”
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Medvedev, the winner of two titles last season, half-heartedly endorsed the late United Cup pullout of Nick Kyrgios, with the controversial Australian citing an injury “You never know if he’s really injured,” Medvedev said.
“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.”
