“I do it all the time”: Fritz responds to Medvedev's 'cheating' anecdote from Wimbledon

Daniil Medvedev was asked if a rival had ever "cheated" him, and Taylor Fritz was mentioned in an interesting anecdote by the former world No. 1. The Russian advanced to the third round of the US Open after defeating Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(5).

After defeating the Hungarian, Medvedev commented that he now has a better relationship with Fritz, although they are not friends. The anecdote dates back to a practice session at Wimbledon about five years ago.

Medvedev and Fritz reflect on misunderstanding from Wimbledon practice

The 2021 US Open champion has quietly advanced in the tournament. The Russian achieved victories against Dusan Lajovic and Marozsan, reaching 370 wins on the ATP Tour. Although Medvedev was not widely considered a favorite, the eliminations of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz make him a strong contender for the title.

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In a press conference, Medvedev was asked if a player had ever cheated him during practice, to which the 28-year-old recalled an experience at Wimbledon several years ago: "I have one funny story. I don't know if Taylor remembers it, Taylor Fritz. If he can tell it, you can ask him next press conference from his side."

"We played Wimbledon. It would probably be 2018 or '19. So long ago. We both were not where we are right now. Brutally honest, I don't want to cheat on practice, but you know, sometimes you don't see the ball," Medvedev commented. "It's like a challenge. Today I asked to show replay, and the ball was so much in, and in my head it was really close. Okay, it happens."

"So we're playing, and I don't remember exactly what it was, but I called some out where I thought the ball was out," he added. "Then my wife - I think at the time she was even maybe a girlfriend to me - talks to me after the practice and says that he was talking to his coach and was like, 'Damn this guy, he cheats all the time.'"

"I was so shocked because I really, especially on practice, I honestly don't really care if I win in practice set or lose. I always try to win, but whatever. To be honest, out of everyone on the tour I don't think anyone on practice wants to cheat. So he was, like, apparently not happy with me."

Daniil Medvedev at 2021 Wimbledon.

The American is already in the fourth round after defeating Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Matteo Berrettini, and Francisco Comesaña, all in straight sets. After defeating the latter, Fritz referred to Medvedev's claim: "Yeah, I heard about this. I don't fully remember it. I think if I said something... I feel like I remember that maybe he just gave me a bad call. I do it all the time."

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"Like if someone makes a bad call in practice, I'll turn to my coach and be like, ‘he just hooked me so bad there’ or ‘gave me such a bad call’. I don't really care, I know no one's trying to do it on purpose. I make a comment, like yeah, that was a really bad call," the American No. 1 said. "But if that happened, that's what happened. I wasn't -- I wasn't, like, 'Oh, he's cheating me so bad'," he added while smiling. "Definitely, it's not that deep."