Daniil Medvedev has conceded that it can be a “strange feeling” to root for some of his main rivals while they are teammates at the Laver Cup.
The seventh edition of the Laver Cup takes place in Berlin this weekend, with Medvedev and Team Europe looking to regain the title following back-to-back losses in 2022 and 2023.
Medvedev will be returning to the team event for the first time since 2021, the last time Team Europe lifted the title; at the time, a fourth win in as many events.
Among those joining the Russian in Team Europe this year are Carlos Alcaraz, who earlier this week he described as his toughest opponent, and Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas – players he is known to have shared a tense relationship with in the past.
And, speaking ahead of action in the German capital, the former world No 1 admitted it was a “strange feeling” to be rooting for teammates who are, more often than not, among his main rivals.
He said: “I think it’s the same – when we are there, we want to win.
“You know some of the opponents, maybe when you see them in your part of the draw, you want them to lose sometimes so you’re going to have an easier draw or something.
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“Here that’s not the case. You want everyone on your team to win and it’s a pretty strange feeling in a way, but for sure Team World got the last two wins, so we’re going to bring this one back to Europe.”
Medvedev will have to wait until the weekend to step onto court, with the former US Open champion not selected for action on Day 1 of the event.
Action begins on Friday with Team Europe’s Casper Ruud taking on Team World’s Francisco Cerundolo, before a US Open rematch between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Kokkinakis, representing Team World, shocked his Greek rival in the opening round at Flushing Meadows this summer. Tsitsipas will be gunning for revenge and securing a point for Team Europe.
Evening action stars with Grigor Dimitrov – who replaced Rafael Nadal – looking to secure a point for Europe against Alejandro Tabilo.
That will then be followed by four-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz and home favourite Alexander Zverev pairing up for a doubles clash versus American’s Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton.
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