With Carlos Alcaraz and co., the ATP's long-awaited “changing of the guard” achieved critical mass—for some, not a moment too soon

"I always say that I have to follow the rules," Medvedev told press at Halle. "And where I can play, I'm gonna play, I'm going to try to play my best."

ByKamakshi Tandon

Published Jun 16, 2022

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WATCH: Daniil Medvedev wins the US Open in the only way he can

Daniil Medvedev is happy the USTA has decided not to ban Russian players from playing the US Open, where he is the defending champion.

"I always say that I have to follow the rules," Medvedev told press at Halle. "And where I can play, I'm gonna play, I'm going to try to play my best."

The USTA announced that it will not ban Russian and Belarusian players from playing the US Open—unlike Wimbledon, which will not allow players from those nations to compete at the grass-court major. The move from the All England Club is partly based on government guidelines issued in reaction to the Russian war on Ukraine. The French Open, which finished less than two weeks ago, allowed players from Russia and Belarus to take part in the event.

Medvedev added that it was especially important for him to play the US Open, the site of his first Grand Slam victory.

"I'm happy that I will be able to defend," he said. "It would be really disappointing if I would not, because that's some great memories and always in US Open, it's an amazing tournament—probably the more special one for me."

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Medvedev broke into the Top 100 in 2016, the Top 50 in 2017, the Top 20 in 2018 and both the Top 10 and Top 5 within a five-week span in the summer of 2019.

Britain's LTA is also not allowing Russian and Belarusian players to play the British grass events leading up to Wimbledon. The ATP and WTA tours have responded to Wimbledon's decision by not to awarding ranking points at The Championships, though still giving points for tour warm-up events.

Medvedev has still been playing a full schedule of grass events in Europe, winning his opener in Halle and getting to the final of 's-Hertogenbosch. And he also plans on defending his title at Mallorca next week, even if he goes deep at Halle.

"I'm going to play in Mallorca next week, for sure," he added. "Also great tournament. Since I don't play to play Wimbledon, I'm okay to play three weeks in a row.

"I'm going to stay a few days there, and then I'll come back to the South of France, and yeah, prepare for the US Open series.''

He's still considering his hard-court schedule.

"I'll maybe add one tournament, but I'm not sure yet," he said.

Medvedev is back at No. 1 in the rankings.

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