Daniil Medvedev explains causes he made US Open rival his daughter’s godfather
Daniil Medvedev will tackle a really acquainted face within the US Open quarter-final – Andrey Rublev. The pair have performed each other seven occasions already however, extra importantly, they’re like “family” off the courtroom. Rublev is the godfather to the 27-year-old’s daughter and Medvedev defined why he picked the world No 8 to be an vital a part of her life.
Medvedev and Rublev will go away their friendship on the door once they do battle for a spot within the US Open semi-final. But the world No 3 is assured that their bond received’t be damaged even when they “fight” on courtroom, as his friendship with the 25-year-old is so robust that he requested him to be the godfather to his daughter Alisa.
The 20-time title winner and his spouse Daria welcomed their first baby final October, and in April images emerged of Rublev at Alisa’s christening as each gamers later confirmed that the world No 8 had turn out to be her godfather. Ahead of their assembly on the US Open, Medvedev defined why he picked one in all his rivals for the vital position.
“To be honest, yes, because as I say, we’re really close,” the 2021 champion stated when requested if it was a simple determination. “I don’t like to, let’s say, label ‘best friend’ because I would say I have a lot of best friends, I have a lot of good friends.
“But we are very close. He’s very kind. He’s kind of a little bit into – how we can call it – he’s religious, so that’s important to be a godfather. So it was kind of an easy decision, yeah.” Medvedev additionally opened up on their friendship, as he had no worry of jeopardising their bond throughout a match.
The 27-year-old added: “I think we’re really close friends. I think we have great relationship. Even if on the court we’re big competitors, so I do think one match, I say a fight, we can talk or something like this, I think nothing is going to, let’s call it, come between us to separate us in real life.
“We’re really close. I mean, we share a lot of let’s call it interests and stuff like this. It’s great to have someone like this on tour because sometimes can be not easy. You travel, travel, travel. To have a friend like this is great. Not much more to add. But again, on the court we both want to win. We not going to be friends in two days.”
Rublev echoed his countryman’s sentiment, claiming that they had been extra like household. “I mean, I think it’s something already like a family because I’m godfather of his daughter,” he defined.
“Obviously we build our relationship because of tennis, but now it’s already bigger than tennis. We know each other, I don’t know, since we were six maybe or something. I don’t know. We have great relationship. He’s super honest, super relaxed. It’s super easy to communicate with him. Very humble. In the same time he’s really, really funny. Then when you spend time with him, you always have fun.”
But the 14-time title winner shall be hoping that he can ship his good good friend packing from the US Open once they meet on Wednesday. Rublev has reached the quarter-final stage of a Grand Slam match eight occasions previously however by no means made it additional and can try to make it 9 occasions fortunate in New York.