Quote of the Day: Daniil Medvedev prefers Rome's old Pietrangeli court, too

ROME, Italy—Daniil Medvedev made a winning return to the Foro Italico on Friday, the 2023 Internazionali BNL d’Italia champion easing past former world No. 8 Cameron Norrie, 6-4, 6-2.

“If we’re superstitious, I do remember two years ago when I won my first match, it was on Pietrangli, and now it was on Pietrangeli today,” the former world No. 1 said with a smile. “Let’s try to keep the superstition going. Really happy with my match, happy with everything that worked today and looking forward.”

Pietrangeli arena has long been a fan favorite for its sunken court and the numerous statues that surround it, but most of the latter have been obscured by the temporary stands built up to create an upper deck.

Given the move was undoubtedly made to meet increasing attendance, the former world No. 1 gave his best diplomatic answer on the situation after the match:

Q. There’s been some debate over the change to Pietrangeli court with the addition of extra stands. What did it feel like to play on the court this year?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I would say that, in terms of atmosphere, it created more people for the same court that is a little bit down there. So, the atmosphere is even more crazy.

If we talk purely aesthetic, it’s not good because it was better with the statues, and it cuts probably 75% of the statues. So, it’s a tough debate. I would probably prefer the aesthetic one without the stands, but the atmosphere on court was great.

The ever-quotable Medvedev was in fine form throughout the mixed zone interview. He talked delaying the start of his 2025 season to welcome his second child and promised to never miss her January 6th birthday.

“Unless the Australian Open starts like, the 9th of January!” laughed Medvedev, a three-time finalist in Melbourne. “Then I cannot do it, but in my opinion the season finishes too late and starts too early, so I’m going to delay it as much as I can.”

To that end, he jokingly disappointed a Serbian journalist hoping he would play the Belgrade Open in November.

“It’s just before Turin. If I am in Turin, hopefully, I can’t, because I need to prepare for Turin,” he explained of his potential Nitto ATP Finals commitments before smiling, “And if I’m not in Turin, I’m taking off! I’m not going anywhere! The only thing is if you’re ranked No. 9-10, you can get there, maybe I’ll come there.

“But I would probably choose the other tournament because Novak is probably going to play Belgrade. I’ll choose the one where you can get more points!”

Minor court complaints aside, the No. 10 seed only hopes to continue avoiding the dreaded 11 a.m. start when he takes on No. 24 seed Alexei Popyrin.

“I was talking to my team today and I said, ‘When I’m 35, I might just boycott the 11 a.m. matches, just be like “I’m not coming” and give a walkover like, “Yeah, I didn’t wake up, sorry guys!”’

“The 11 a.m. matches are so early because you have to be up at 6:30 in the morning. When you play at night, you wake up at 9 a.m. That changes the entire match; it’s crazy.”

Whatever time he plays, fans will be happy to set alarms.