Daniil Medvedev on Sunday admitted he would somewhat be taking part in on the blended 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 mentioned it was disappointing, however there was nothing he might do. “I would definitely prefer to play the United Cup,” mentioned 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 utterly perceive why we aren’t taking part in Davis Cup or United Cup and staff competitions the place we’d characterize our nation.

“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 mentioned 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 mentioned.

“I like playing in Australia, so really looking forward to it”

Since defeating Djokovic for the 2021 US Open title, Medvedev has been overwhelmed thrice by the Serb, who’s again in Australia after being deported a yr in the past for attempting to enter with out a Covid vaccination exemption.

With the principles now relaxed, the 35-year-old is competing in Adelaide and is free to pursue a potential 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 mentioned.

“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 harm

“You never know if he’s really injured,” Medvedev mentioned.

“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 used to be (taking part in) the United Cup and I acquired injured earlier than the event, I’d withdraw.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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