With players like Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina, and Victoria Azarenka leading the Miami Open women’s draw, the spotlight has been on the WTA moms in the latter part of the Sunshine Swing. But let’s also appreciate the ATP dads, or rather, their wives, for their support and contribution.
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Before his Debut at Hard Rock Stadium, Russian Daniil Medvedev heaped praise on his wife Daria Medvedev. The defending Champion opened up about work-life balance and parenthood on the road.
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“As a player, I don’t think (fatherhood) has changed me, to be honest,” Medvedev told press on Thursday. “But hopefully it helps me mature, a little bit. Many times I’m still immature on the court, but I feel like I’m improving slowly every year. That’s my goal.”
“In life, hopefully it made me more mature also, more responsible. It’s a big responsibility for sure, to be a father.”
Balancing Act: The Medvedev Family’s Journey on Tour
Back in October 2022, The Medvedev family welcomed daughter Alisa. Daria and Daniil have been married since 2018. Daria has been a constant fixture at Daniil’s matches throughout his rise to the top of the ATP rankings. Increasingly, little Alisa joins them, thanks to his wife’s sacrifices.
“It’s not easy with tennis, because if you want to see your daughter a lot, then your wife has to sacrifice a lot,” he explained. “She has to travel with the baby, and many times it’s her taking the plane and not me. Being on a plane with a baby is not easy. I’ve done it a couple of times, she’s done it ten times more than me.”
Medvedev says being a father has brought out a whole new side of him too, as he now searches for the balance between being a dad and “full tennis mode.”
“It’s a balance. Sometimes my wife sacrifices some of her time and energy to come to the tournaments with our daughter. Me, I have to practise less somewhere, or maybe during the tournament I just have to find the time,” said the world No. 4.
“Before I would be in full tennis mode. Now, I have to find the balance to see my daughter also, otherwise it’s not a good life, I would say!”
“I’m trying. I think I’m doing well, but I’m always trying to find this balance.”
The No. 3 seed, Medvedev, will face Marton Fucsovics in the second round of the Miami Open. This marks his return to Hard Rock Stadium for the first time since winning the trophy in 2023.