“I don’t really like headlines,” he insisted after a second-round victory over Fábián Marozsán, “but when I’m on the court, my mind is boiling, constantly boiling. Like sometimes it’s frustration. Sometimes with good emotions. It’s like tea. It just comes out, comes out even if I don’t want it. It just boils.”
Medvedev boiled over multiple times in 2024, most notably in Monte Carlo after taking issue with the officiating during his match against Karen Khachanov, and it is largely due to his off-court candor that the former world No. 1 has largely avoided the “villain” label often stamped on those who exhibit similar behavior.
He also has retained the respect of his peers, sharing a laugh with rival Carlos Alcaraz at the China Open when he threatened to play their next match with blonde hair and the name BOTIC across his chest—in reference to Alcaraz’s US Open loss to Botic van de Zandschulp.
“[When] I will finish my career, I will have some good legacy in terms of titles and good memories on court and for sure some iconic moments like on the microphone, et cetera. I like to speak. I have no problem with it.”
Should Medvedev stay healthy in 2025, expect more iconic moments on court and off.
