"Like a family because I'm godfather of his daughter": Childhood friends collide in US Open Quarter-Finals as Rublev describes Medvedev relationship

Childhood friends Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev will face off for a spot in the US Open semifinals as world No. 8 describes their relationship.

The two highest-ranked Russian tennis players have reached the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows. Both Rublev and Medvedev lived up to their favoritism in previous rounds. Of the top eight seeds, only four remain: Alcaraz, Djokovic, and the Russians.

Medvedev had a tough start against world No. 13 Alex De Minaur but found his groove and won 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1. Rublev also faced difficulties against Jack Draper but eventually prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Medvedev became a father at the end of 2022 to his daughter Alisa, and he and his wife Daria chose 'Rublo' as the godfather, demonstrating the close relationship they share.

“I think it's something already like a family because I'm godfather of his daughter. So, it's become a bit...” Rublev said in his presser.

“Obviously, we build our relationship because of tennis, but now it's already bigger than tennis. We know each other, I don't know, since we were six maybe or something. I don't know,” world No. 8 added.

Rublev shared the qualities he values most in his friend and fellow countryman and talked about the strong relationship they have built since childhood:

“We have great relationship. He's super honest, super relaxed. It's super easy to communicate with him. Very humble. In the same time he's really, really funny. Then when you spend time with him, you always have fun,” Rublev said.

“I think we're really close friends. I think we have great relationship,” he said.

“It's great to have someone like this on tour because sometimes can be not easy. You travel, travel, travel. To have a friend like this is great.”

“On the court we both want to win. We not going to be friends in two days,” he said.

“Even if on the court we're big competitors, so I do think one match, I say a fight, we can talk or something like this, I think nothing is going to come between us to separate us in real life. We're really close. I mean, we share a lot of let's call it interests and stuff like this,” Medvedev assured.