"I'm happy about it and I don't care": Daniil Medvedev embraces fatherhood amid form struggles

Daniil Medvedev, once feared for his icy focus and unyielding drive on the tennis court, is revealing a new side of himself, the devoted father. In Beijing, fresh from a clinical 6-3, 6-4 win over Britain’s Cameron Norrie at the China Open, Medvedev did not talk tactics or rankings. Instead, he talked about diapers, bedtime stories, and the joy of being a husband and father of two.

Medvedev’s journey into parenthood began in October 2022, when he welcomed his first daughter, Alisa, and continued with Victoria’s arrival in January 2025. When asked if the growing family had been a distraction amid his form struggles, he was candid:

"So I don't have an answer to your question about expanding family. I definitely love my two daughters, I love my wife. It's not a problem for me. Even if I play somehow tennis worse because I have a second daughter, I'm happy about it and I don't care. For sure I was concerned. I'm still concerned. I'm trying to find a way to show everyone that I'm capable of doing big things again,".

Even as he admitted his desire to return to top form, he made it clear that happiness at home takes precedence, showcasing how fatherhood, is rewriting Medvedev’s relationship with tennis.

Nevertheless, 2025 has not been Medvedev’s year. No titles so far, and inconsistent results have left fans wondering if the former world number 1 can regain his peak. Yet even amid the scrutiny, Medvedev remains unfazed. Unlike many players who allow rankings to dictate mood, he has embracing a broader definition of success, one measured not by trophies but by family joy.

If his words signaled calm, his performance against Norrie told a different story: ruthless efficiency. On serve, he was nearly untouchable, 9 aces, a 63% first-serve percentage, and 81% of first-serve points won, compared to Norrie’s 50%. Even on second serve points, Medvedev eked out 50% to Norrie’s 48%.

His return game was equally impressive. Medvedev converted 45% of break points (5/11), far outpacing Norrie’s 22% on return games, while winning 51% of all return points overall. The result was a total points win of 59% to Norrie’s 41% and a clean, commanding 12 games to 7 victory over 1 hour 16 minutes.

Medvedev’s next opponent at the China Open is Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, a player he respects and admits is currently in better form. The Russian stated: "To be honest, usually I feel like I like to play in a way against him. I think my game matches up against his. He’s in a better, let’s call it, form right now. I don’t know. It’s not even about the points. He had probably more victories lately than I did. Got unlucky in Washington. Playing great. Actually, we played a serious exhibition match and I won. I will try to play my best. He’s a very strong player. I know if I want to beat him, I need to be at my best, and I’ll try to do it,"

Daniil Medvedev’s win over Norrie showcased that, despite a trophy-less season, he remains a formidable force on court. His precision serving, ruthless winners, and controlled rallies proved he still has the skill and mental sharpness to challenge the best. Yet it’s his mindset off the court that truly defines him now. For Medvedev, the balance between family and tennis isn’t a compromise; it is a new kind of triumph. As he looks ahead to his clash with Davidovich Fokina and the rest of the season, one thing is clear: his heart may be fuller than his trophy cabinet, but it has never been more focused.