"I don’t find it difficult to support others": Daniil Medvedev reconciles with Alexander Zverev after past criticism

Daniil Medvedev has put his ‘feud’ with Alexander Zverev behind as they team up for the Laver Cup. Two of the top players in recent years have had a complicated rivalry, with cross-criticism following several of their matches, where Medvedev leads the head-to-head 12-7 (2-1 in finals).

This time, they are teammates in Team Europe, captained by Bjorn Borg, during the Laver Cup. The World No. 2 and World No. 5 are among their team’s main assets and are preparing for the third day of competition, where both must win to keep their team’s hopes alive.

The relationship between Medvedev and Zverev has been rocky, especially after their clash at the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters, where the Russian claimed a grueling 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(7) victory.

“He is one of the most unfair players in the world. I take fair play and sportsmanship very seriously. He doesn’t. He takes a toilet break when it’s not allowed anymore,” Zverev said after the match. “There are a thousand situations where, when I start playing better, he tries to pull something. I’m extremely disappointed in him as an athlete.”

Medvedev downplayed Zverev’s comments, stating the German often says ‘strange things’ in the press: “Sascha lives in his own world. I’ve had like five players come up to me in the locker room and say, ‘Come on Daniil, why are you so unfair?’” he said, smiling. “When he loses, you can probably find 25 interviews where he says something strange,” the former World No. 1 added. “When he says someone lacks fair play, you think, okay, great. Take a look at yourself in the mirror.”

While united as teammates in Berlin, Zverev and Medvedev aim to leave their issues behind. During the pre-tournament press conference with the entire team present, the German remarked, “Normally, we always meet in the final rounds of a tournament and give everything to beat each other. Now, we’re here as a team with one goal: to win the Laver Cup.”

Medvedev was asked about his past disagreements with Zverev and another teammate, Stefanos Tsitsipas. “I don’t find it difficult to support others,” said the 28-year-old. “We’ve played a few matches, there were arguments, and someone said something in the press. And that’s fine,” said the 2021 US Open champion. “But a month later, it’s forgotten!”