Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev revealed he picked up “a medium strain” at the Astana Open three weeks ago. In early October, Medvedev competed at the Astana Open. Medvedev reached the Astana Open semifinal, where he retired mid-match versus Novak Djokovic.
After Djokovic won the second set tie-break to force a third set, Medvedev approached the Serb and told him he was retiring. Djokovic looked stunned by Medvedev’s retirement but understood after the Russian explained that he felt like he “pulled something.”
This week, Medvedev is competing at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, where he defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili in his opener at the tournament. “It was a strain, I don’t want to say a small strain, let’s call it a medium strain.
We have done a good job with my physio, thanks to him. I was able to get a full 100% session on Saturday to decide if I was coming here as I was not 100% sure. I didn’t feel any pain so I came here, had a good practice session, played good tennis, was running all over the court so feeling 100% ready,” Medvedev told the ATP website.
Medvedev not taking any chances
Medvedev is currently fifth on the Race to Turin list as his spot at the prestigious season-ending tournament is pretty much sealed. However, he doesn’t want to think of himself as an ATP Finals participant until he officially secures his spot.
“That is how it feels, but at the same time there are a lot of guys coming close, especially Felix [Auger-Aliassime] and Andrey [Rublev], even if they are not as dangerous as I can still be in even if they pass me.
But I still have work to do [as it is] better to do it by yourself than by others doing bad. That is why I want to play two, well three with the Niito Finals, the rest of the season,” Medvedev added.
