Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev: biography

Daniil Sergeyevich Medvedev, hailing from Russia, is an accomplished professional tennis player.

At present, occupying the prestigious world No. 3 position in singles as designated by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Daniil Sergeyevich Medvedev has experienced the pinnacle of the sport as a former world No. 1, having held that esteemed ranking for an impressive total of 16 weeks. Medvedev boasts an impressive collection of 20 ATP Tour singles titles to his name, among which are notable triumphs such as the 2021 US Open and the 2020 ATP Finals. Notably, in the former event, Medvedev exhibited his exceptional prowess by defeating the then-world No. 1, Novak Djokovic, in the final, effectively preventing Djokovic from achieving a historic Grand Slam.

Childhood and youth

Daniil Medvedev was born in Moscow on February 11, 1996. He comes from a family with a background in business and a passion for tennis. Encouraged by his parents, he started playing the sport at a young age and received early training from coach Ekaterina Kryuchkova. Alongside his athletic pursuits, Medvedev also engaged in music lessons.

After completing studies in physics and math, he initially pursued economics and commerce but later decided to focus solely on tennis. He obtained a coaching diploma from the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth, and Tourism. Medvedev and his family relocated to Antibes, France, where he trained at a tennis academy.

Living abroad since the age of 18, Medvedev developed fluency in French and English, in addition to his native Russian. He tied the knot with his wife Daria Chernyshkova, who also assists him in various capacities, including obtaining travel visas.

Medvedev's professional career has seen notable achievements, including winning major tournaments and entering the top rankings. He humorously referenced his wedding anniversary when he clinched his first Grand Slam title, the US Open.

Due to health issues related to his premature birth, Medvedev has been deemed unsuitable for compulsory military service in the Russian Armed Forces. At one point, he considered representing Kazakhstan in tennis due to a lack of support from the Russian Tennis Federation. Sports psychologist Francisca Dauzet has been a valued member of his team since 2018.

Outside of tennis, Medvedev is an avid supporter of FC Bayern Munich.

Medvedev embarked on his junior tennis journey in July 2009, participating in a grade 4 tournament in Estonia at the age of 13. Within a year, he secured his first junior title as a qualifier in December 2010.

The years 2012-2013 marked Medvedev's ascent in the junior circuit, clinching six titles, including an impressive streak of four consecutive victories. He made his debut at a junior Grand Slam event, Junior Wimbledon in 2013, winning his opening match but falling in the second round to 2nd seed Nikola Milojević. At the Junior US Open the same year, he reached the third round as the 10th seed but was defeated by Johan Tatlot.

Reaching a career-high junior ranking of world No. 13 in early 2014, Medvedev entered the 2014 Junior Australian Open as the 8th seed. However, his junior career concluded after an early exit in the first round of the 2014 Junior Wimbledon.

Throughout his junior career, Medvedev accumulated a commendable record of 109 wins and 43 losses, defeating notable future stars such as Alexander Zverev and Reilly Opelka.

Tennis career

Medvedev began his professional journey in 2015, steadily climbing the rankings and gaining valuable experience on the circuit. In 2016, he secured his first ATP Tour main draw victory at the Marseille Open. The following year, he reached his first ATP Tour final in Chennai, India, where he emerged as the runner-up.

2018 proved to be a breakthrough year for Medvedev. He claimed his maiden ATP Tour title in Sydney and went on to capture three more titles, including back-to-back victories in Winston-Salem and Tokyo. Medvedev's consistent form saw him reach his career-high ranking of No. 16 by the end of the season.

Continuing his upward trajectory, Medvedev made significant strides in 2019. He reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, where he showcased his exceptional skills and pushed the legendary Rafael Nadal to a thrilling five-set match. Medvedev's stellar performances throughout the year propelled him into the top 5 of the ATP rankings.

In 2020, Medvedev displayed his prowess on hard courts by winning the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals. These victories solidified his position among the elite players in men's tennis and further elevated his ranking to No. 4.

The following year, Medvedev attained another significant milestone by capturing his first Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open. In a stunning display of skill and determination, he defeated the world No. 1, Novak Djokovic, in the final, denying Djokovic a chance at a calendar-year Grand Slam. Medvedev's triumph cemented his status as one of the top contenders in the sport.

Throughout his career, Medvedev has amassed a total of 20 ATP Tour singles titles, including the prestigious ATP Finals. He has consistently showcased a unique playing style characterized by powerful groundstrokes, exceptional court coverage, and intelligent shot selection.

During the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, Daniil Medvedev achieved a significant milestone by advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time in this prestigious tournament. His path to the quarterfinals included victories over wildcard Arthur Fery, Adrian Mannarino, Márton Fucsovics, and Jiří Lehečka, who retired during their match.

Personal life

Daria Medvedeva, the affectionate spouse of Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev, first crossed paths with him through their shared love for tennis. In her youth, Daria also aspired to pursue a career in tennis. Daria and Daniil's paths first intertwined when Daria was a mere 12 years old. It was at a cafe near the local tennis courts where Daria and her team happened to be dining, and that's when she encountered Daniil.

Despite their young age when they initially crossed paths, fate intervened and brought them together once more a few years later. In 2014, their connection blossomed into a romantic relationship. Subsequently, in 2017, the couple made the decision to reside together in Monte Carlo, Monaco, where they continue to make their home. The following year, in 2018, they privately tied the knot in a ceremony held shortly before the Russian athlete's participation in the Davis Cup.

On 14th October 2022, the champion of the 2021 US Open, Daniil Medvedev, and his wife, Daria Medvedeva, joyfully celebrated the arrival of their first child, Alisa.

Awards

The Russian Cup in the nominations:

• Male Tennis Player of the Year: 2019, 2021
• Team of the Year: 2019, 2021
• Sports title "Merited Master of Sports of Russia" (2019)