Daniil Medvedev: “Off the Court, I Try to Just Show My Nice Personality” — 2021 Champion Earns Ambassador Honors Ahead of 2026 US Open
From throwing out a perfect strike for the first pitch at a Cincinnati Reds game to jokingly questioning if he should transition to pickleball after an opening-round loss in Winston-Salem, Daniil Medvedev’s past month has been anything but quiet.
Now back at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center—the site of his maiden Grand Slam triumph half a decade ago, where he unveiled one of the most iconic “dead fish” celebrations in tennis history—the 30-year-old former World No. 1 has already added new hardware to his collection before stepping onto the court for his first match.
On Friday, Medvedev was honored by the International Tennis Writers Association (ITWA) with the 2026 Player Ambassador Award, an annual accolade presented to the male and female players who display exceptional cooperation with the media in both victory and defeat.
“I do believe I can be fun to talk to sometimes with you guys, so I appreciate it,” Medvedev said upon receiving the award. “That really is a nice feeling, because I know that on the court, I can be a bit of a pain. But off the court, I try to just show my nice personality, which I have as well. To get rewarded for this is a great feeling.”
Embracing New York’s Unique Energy
New York crowds have long enjoyed a complex relationship with Medvedev’s competitive fire. In 2019, he famously taunted a booing Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd following a victory over Feliciano Lopez, sarcastically thanking them on the microphone for providing the energy that fueled his run to the final.
Reflecting on his dynamic with the local fans during Friday’s Media Day, Medvedev acknowledged the fine line he walks during competition.
“Sometimes it can get the crowd on your side,” Medvedev said. “Sometimes that’s not the case. But it can be fun.”
Resetting Expectations for Flushing Meadows
Medvedev launched his 2026 campaign in dominant fashion, capturing his 20th tour-level hard-court title in Brisbane before becoming a two-time champion in Dubai in February. Subsequent runs to the Indian Wells final and the Rome semifinals highlighted his early-season consistency, though he has continued to tweak his form during the summer hard-court swing.
With former champion Jannik Sinner sidelined and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returning from a four-month injury absence, many consider the 2026 men’s draw wide open. However, Medvedev—who faces French qualifier Hugo Gaston in the first round—is focused strictly on finding his rhythm.
“I just want to find my game and pass some rounds,” Medvedev emphasized, tempering expectations. “I’m not at all thinking about something crazy.”
