Russia’s tennis sensation, Daniil Medvedev, was caught off guard by the balls used at the Paris Olympics following his impressive first-round victory. The quirky Russian star, known for his unique sense of humor, shared his unexpected delight with the lighter balls at the Olympic tournament.
After cruising to a comfortable 6-2 6-1 victory over Rinky Hijikata in the opening round, Medvedev’s confidence was soaring as he prepared to face Sebastian Ofner in the next round. The Russian wasted no time in asserting his dominance on the court, breaking Hijikata three times in each set to secure the convincing win.
In a post-match interview, Medvedev couldn’t contain his joy over his successful start at the Olympics. However, he also revealed his initial doubts about his singles prospects, confessing that he had entered the tournament with higher hopes for the doubles events.
“When I was coming here, to be honest, I had higher expectations for doubles and mixed. The draw is smaller, and the singles are strong. And I usually don’t win Roland Garros, to put it mildly,” Medvedev candidly admitted to Sports.ru.
The Russian’s preference for the lighter balls used at the Paris Olympics over the heavier balls at the French Open, where he has struggled in the past, played a role in his unexpected singles success. Medvedev’s sharp wit and self-awareness shone through as he navigated the unique challenges of the Olympic tournament with ease.
