Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev has welcomed the US Open decision to allow him to compete at Flushing Meadows.
This week, the US Open organizers confirmed Russian and Belarusian will be allowed to compete at the US Open.
Medvedev, ranked at No. 1 in the world, is set to miss Wimbledon after the AELTC imposed player bans on Russian and Belarusian players.
“I always say that I have to follow the rules. And where I can play, I’m gonna play, I’m going to try to play my best. I’m happy that I will be able to defend. It would be really disappointing if I would not, because that’s some great memories and always in US Open, it’s an amazing tournament—probably the more special one for me,” Medvedev said.
Medvedev set to defend his US Open title
Medvedev lifted his maiden Grand Slam after beating Novak Djokovic in last year’s US Open final.
“The USTA will allow individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the 2022 US Open, but only under a neutral flag. Alongside the other Grand Slams, the ITF, the ATP and the WTA, the USTA, which owns and operates the US Open, has previously condemned, and continues to condemn, the unprovoked and unjust invasion of Ukraine by Russia,” the US Open said in a statement.
Medvedev won’t be allowed to compete at Wimbledon but still he is getting a lot of action during this year’s grass season.
Medvedev ended runner-up in ‘s-Hertogenbosch last week, while now he is playing in Halle.
Medvedev will conclude his grass season by playing in Mallorca next week.
“I’m going to play in Mallorca next week, for sure. Also great tournament. Since I don’t play to play Wimbledon, I’m okay to play three weeks in a row. I’m going to stay a few days there, and then I’ll come back to the South of France, and yeah, prepare for the US Open series,” Medvedev added.