World No. 14 Daniil Medvedev recently shed light on his decision to participate in the Almaty tournament instead of the highly publicized `Six Kings Slam`.
Medvedev clarified that the situation is “far more intricate than it appears.” He noted that, to his knowledge, the $1.5 million figure wasn`t a guaranteed payout for every player, as it depended on various factors. Considering his drop in the rankings, he hadn`t initially anticipated an invitation to the `Six Kings Slam`, which typically extends offers only to the top six players, with Rafael Nadal being a notable exception last year. However, Medvedev had already committed to playing in Kazakhstan and emphasized the importance of honoring his word. He expressed no regrets about his choice, particularly highlighting the necessity of accumulating ranking points and gaining match practice in official tournaments. He pledged to deliver strong performances.
Medvedev recalled an incident in Shanghai, following a previous event in Beijing, where he received a warning. He noted that he was subsequently asked about his feelings towards that specific umpire. He firmly stated that off the court, his attitude towards all umpires is “extremely positive” – he considers them “great individuals.” On the court, however, while he still holds them in high regard, his interactions are “different” due to the overwhelming emotions of competition. He humorously compared himself to a footballer who, despite receiving a yellow card for a clear foul, still passionately argues that no infraction occurred. Medvedev conceded that he might occasionally be at fault, yet he consistently challenges the umpire`s decision, asserting the umpire was mistaken. “That`s just the way things have developed,” he added.
Nevertheless, Medvedev voiced a desire for “greater transparency in the rules.” He presented another example from Shanghai where he was issued a time violation, despite believing himself to be “the fastest server on the tour.” He pointed out that after a single instance of perceived delay, he immediately received a warning, whereas he frequently finds himself waiting for opponents to be ready to return his serve. This particular incident, he admitted, “infuriated” him. While advocating for clarity, he acknowledged the inherent difficulty of achieving this due to the subjective element in officiating and the concern that any changes might inadvertently worsen the situation, leading to even greater confusion.
Marcus Prine