Daniil Medvedev gives hilarious pickleball retirement update after US Open win

Monday, 31 August 2026 at 04:30

Daniil Medvedev's latest US Open victory produced an unexpected conversation about chewing gum, baseball and the possibility of eventually leaving tennis behind. The former world No. 1 was in a much better mood after defeating Hugo Gaston, giving Andrea Petkovic plenty of opportunities to revisit some of his recent comments.

Medvedev arrived in New York looking to rebuild his confidence after a difficult run of results. Rather than taking the week before the US Open off, he accepted a wildcard to play Winston-Salem in search of more match practice, but his plan quickly backfired when Martin Damm Jr defeated him 7-5, 6-3.

It was Medvedev's fourth defeat in five matches since Wimbledon and left him openly questioning his direction in tennis. After that loss, the Russian joked about potentially starting a pickleball career alongside Jack Sock and even claimed that every sport on the planet, including curling, was becoming better.

His mood changed considerably in New York, where he finally found a victory and produced one of the more unusual tactical adjustments of his career. Petkovic noticed Medvedev chewing gum between changeovers and used the opportunity to ask about the strange new strategy before returning to his pickleball comments.

Medvedev explains his unusual chewing-gum tactic

The gum quickly became one of the more entertaining details of Medvedev's victory. Asked whether it had played a role in his performance, the Russian admitted that the decision was far less calculated than it might have appeared.

“Yeah, I don’t know why. I was super dry in my mouth. Water was not helping. So the only solution was chewing gum. I probably watch too much baseball. For whatever reason they all chew gum. I was like, you know what, I’m losing all the matches. I need to try to do like baseball guys. I need to change something.”

The answer was classic Medvedev, turning what began as a practical solution into another joke about his recent struggles. Petkovic then brought up an even bigger change he had previously suggested.

Medvedev gives his pickleball retirement timeline

Just days earlier, Medvedev had joked that he could eventually abandon tennis for pickleball, even mentioning Jack Sock as a potential doubles partner. After his US Open win, Petkovic asked whether that idea was still on the table.

Medvedev's response suggested that while the pickleball comments were partly humorous, his frustration with the demands of professional tennis is genuine.

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“Unfortunately tennis takes too much energy and time. Otherwise I would do something else. Maybe not exactly pickleball but I’d exchange tennis.. sometimes tennis, sometimes something else. Unfortunately tennis is a full-time job.”

The Russian then put a surprisingly precise number on how long he expects to continue making tennis his priority. “Until I’m, let’s say, 37 and a half, I will be happy to play tennis. And then let’s see what life brings me.”

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For now, however, Medvedev remains focused on extending his US Open run. After a difficult build-up that included an early loss in Winston-Salem, the victory over Gaston gives him the chance to find the form he was searching for — even if chewing gum has now become part of the experiment.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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