“Would Be Really Dangerous”: Daniil Medvedev Raises Huge Concerns Over Australian Open 2021

ATP Finals 2020 champ Daniil Medvedev now has started to think about how and when the 2021 season will start. Traditionally the Australian summer schedule is the curtain-raiser for the tennis season, but given the new wave of coronavirus cases, uncertainties loom over the schedule of the Australian Open as well. And now it seems Medvedev isn’t too confident about the Australian Open.

Speaking to CNN, the Russian said that he has not rejected the notion of skipping the Australian Open. He will wait for a concrete plan from the organizers and then decide on his participation. He said, “I’m going to go to Australia when we can to avoid any circumstances that would change your mind about competing there.”

Daniil Medvedev on the quarantine

Medvedev addressed the important issue that is the quarantine. Now, players will have to serve the mandatory 14-day quarantine prior to the Grand Slam. And it is unknown how much practice time the players will get between the quarantine period and the Australian Open. Thus, Medvedev reckons it will be a dangerous condition for the players. He said:

“I’m not complaining that it’s boring or something like this, it’s just that going out from the room after 14 days of not doing anything and then playing five sets right away, I think would be really dangerous for the health of any sportsman.”

Right now, Tennis Australia and the government are scrambling to get the schedule of the Australian Open fixed. Talks on quarantine and regulations are also on. There is also the pressing issue of whether players will be allowed to practice during the quarantine period.

Medvedev said, “At least from what was said before, we would be able to practice on tennis courts and practice physically, which is really important. I don’t think it’s going to be possible for anybody to go there [if they] will need to stay in the room for 14 days.”

For Medvedev, it will good if the season starts early. He has gathered great momentum since the start of November. His two 2020 triumphs came in November with the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals. So he could use that to start his 2021 season with a bang!

Read More: What Makes Daniil Medvedev an Unstoppable Force on Hard Courts