In a thrilling quarterfinal at the US Open 2023, Russian star Daniil Medvedev is currently battling his best friend Andrey Rublev. The problem? The scorching heat inside Arthur Ashe Stadium is making it tough for Medvedev. To everyone’s surprise, Medvedev had to ask for his inhaler not once, but twice during the game. People in the crowd are left wondering what’s going on. Eventually, the tournament doctor had to be brought in.
Amidst the intense rallies and relentless heat, the drama unfolded with a plea for medical assistance from courtside.
Daniil Medvedev’s inhaler problem amidst a sweltering New York heat
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While facing his compatriot and friend Andrey Rublev, Medvedev’s struggle with the weather became apparent, leading to a request for immediate medical assistance from courtside: “Can we have the doctor for Daniil? Straight away, please?”
"Can we have the doctor for Daniil? Straight away, please?"
(My absolute kingdom for Medvedev, when asked for his symptoms, to say: "I lost my serve.")
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) September 6, 2023
With the sun beating down on the courts and humidity levels soaring, the New York weather proved to be a formidable opponent in its own right. Medvedev’s encounter with the inhaler was not a first; he had previously resorted to its use during the round of 16 match against Alex De Minaur. When questioned about his breathing difficulties, Medvedev candidly admitted, “Yeah, the thing is, I don’t think it worked because I kind of don’t know how to use it. I don’t think it worked. But I’m not sure.” While Medvedev faced adversity in his match, he won against Rublev in straight sets. Even after making it to the semi finals of the coveted US Open, all Medvedev could talk about was the horrible weather conditions in NYC.
Medvedev’s shares his weather woes as he battles against the elements at US Open
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After winning in straight sets, Daniil Medvedev talked about the challenging weather at the US Open. He compared it to the tough conditions he faced during the Tokyo Olympic Games. Medvedev, the former champion, didn’t mince words when he described the conditions: “[It] was brutal. The only good thing I see in these conditions is both suffer.”
As Medvedev shared his experience, he revealed the physical toll the match had taken on him: “At the end of the first set, I kind of couldn’t see the ball anymore. I kind of play with sensations,” as reported by Telegraph.
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Do you think this breathing problem will cause a bigger issue in Medvedev’s US Open campaign? Or is Medvedev going to rise through adversity? Let us know in the comments.
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