“Ridiculous”: Daniil Medvedev Slams Postponement of French Open 2021

Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev has voiced his misgivings over the decision to postpone the start of the French Open by a week.

However, while criticizing the decision, the current World No. 2 was quick to add that he understood the circumstances that forced the organizers to announce a revised schedule.

In view of the rising COVID-19 cases in host city Paris and elsewhere in France, the French Tennis Federation released an official statement saying the action at Roland-Garros has been shifted to a revised window – May 30 to June 13.

The decision wasn’t received well by Canadian tennis star Milos Raonic, who claimed the ATP did not bother to communicate the decision to the players, who will effectively bear the brunt of it.

Daniil Medvedev says he doesn’t understand what difference a week’s delay will make

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters, Medvedev said he couldn’t understand the rationale behind a weeklong delay. He said he wasn’t sure if a week would make any difference to the COVID situation in the host city.

“…if we talk about the rules, about the French Open, not the French Open itself, but the country and the government, what does it change if we do it a week later? I’m not sure it will change anything,” the Russian said.

He added that it was fallacious for the tournament organizers to think that a week’s delay in Paris will make COVID-19 “disappear.” The Australian Open runners-up said that while some of the rules in the prevailing global situation cannot be helped, tournament organizers could leave some room for “exceptions.” 

“I must say it’s a bit ridiculous. But not on the part of the French Tennis Federation or the government, it’s just the general situation,” the Russian said.

Medvedev, however, claimed that he wasn’t too disappointed with the decision as it would give him an extra week to prepare for Roland-Garros. He can make the most of the extra training and practice as he has yet to win a single match at the French Open.

Read More: “Given No Heads-Up”: Milos Raonic Disappointed with French Open Communication Gap