Daniil Medvedev has questioned the decision by Australian Open organizers to not schedule his match on the premier Rod Laver Arena for the second time in a row.
Medvedev, who is the highest seed in the men’s draw, says he ‘doesn’t know what he has to do’ in order to play on Laver. The Russian played his fourth round match against Maxime Cressy on the Margaret Court Arena whilst 11th seed Jannik Sinner’s match against Alex de Minaur and fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas played at the premier stadium. Medvedev also played his third round match on Margaret Court. However, the Russian played his first two matches on Laver.
“I really don’t know what should I do to play on center courts in Grand Slams because I won the last Grand Slam,” he said. “I mean, I’m highest seed here, and to play against Maxime would be easier on Rod Laver, there is more space.’
“When you play on a smaller court it’s tougher to play somebody who does serve and volley than on a bigger court.’
“It’s the same in Wimbledon, I haven’t even played on Centre (Court) because I don’t count the fifth set which I played after the rain, after being put on Court 2.”
The 25-year-old is bidding to make history at the Australian Open by becoming the first man in the Open Era to win his second major title at the next Grand Slam following his first triumph. Medvedev won the US Open title last September. The trophy would also elevate him to the top of the world rankings which would make Medvedev the first player outside of the Big Four to do so since Andy Roddick in 2004.
As for the scheduling of his matches, the second seed acknowledges that he is able to request where he is playing but says he doesn’t want to be in the position where he keeps on asking.
“I rarely ask for the time or the court unless somebody comes to me and says, where you want to play and when? Then I’m like, okay, this time on this court,” he explains.
“But in Grand Slams it doesn’t always work like this. You can always ask but I usually don’t do it. I asked probably one of the first times here for this tournament one time and I got it.’
“Maybe I have to ask every time. But I don’t really want to be the guy who asks every time, put me on Rod Laver or I’m gonna be unhappy.”
Compared to Medvedev, Rafael Nadal has played all five of his matches on Rod Laver (including his quarter-final encounter scheduled for Tuesday). Meanwhile, Tsitsipas has done so three times.
Medvedev will play his quarter-final match on Wednesday against Felix Auger-Aliassime. The order of play for that day will be published tomorrow.
ATP Players who have played on Rod Laver Arena in 2022
- Day 1 – Nadal and Alexander Zverev
- Day 2 – Medvedev and Tsitsipas
- Day 3 – Nadal and Zverev
- Day 4 – Alex de Minaur and Medvedev
- Day 5 – Matteo Berrettini and Nadal
- Day 6 – Tsitsipas and de Minaur
- Day 7 – Nadal and Berrettini
- Day 8 – Tsitsipas and Jannik Sinner
- Day 9 – Nadal and Berrettini
