Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1 and current top-10 staple, has never been one to shy away from quirky answers in press conferences. But when a reporter at Roland Garros asked him to pick three tennis figures—alive or dead—for a hypothetical dinner party, the Russian star took a grounded approach, sticking to the living and choosing a trio of former world No. 1s: Novak Djokovic, John McEnroe, and Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
The question came after Medvedev defeated Tomas Machac in four sets on Saturday, edging closer to a potential deep run on the Parisian clay. The 28-year-old, known for his hard-court prowess, has been steadily improving his game on the surface, with a Masters 1000 title in Rome and two second-week appearances at Roland Garros in the last three years. But the press conference took a more philosophical turn when Medvedev was asked to imagine a private dinner with no cameras and full honesty.
“I would say Novak just because, you know, I would like to know his… It's a funny question. When you say three people, I want to have an honest conversation where I can ask question, they can ask questions, it's private, no cameras, and we can really talk honestly,” Medvedev explained, emphasizing the value of unfiltered dialogue. He added that the conversation would revolve around life rather than tennis, though a little tennis talk would be allowed.
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is a natural choice for any tennis enthusiast. Medvedev has faced Djokovic multiple times, including a memorable win in the 2021 US Open final that denied Djokovic the calendar-year Grand Slam. But the two share a mutual respect, and Medvedev likely wanted to pick the brain of a player who has dominated the sport across two decades. Djokovic’s insights into mental toughness, longevity, and family life would certainly enrich any dinner conversation.
John McEnroe, the seven-time Grand Slam champion and famously fiery personality, is another fascinating pick. McEnroe’s outspoken nature and deep knowledge of tennis history made him a compelling choice. Medvedev, who himself has a reputation for occasional on-court outbursts and witty one-liners, might find a kindred spirit in the American legend. McEnroe’s transition from player to commentator has given him a unique perspective on the modern game, and his stories about the rivalries of the 1980s—with Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, and Ivan Lendl—would provide a rich tapestry of tennis lore.
The third pick, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, is perhaps the most intriguing. Kafelnikov, a two-time Grand Slam champion (Roland Garros 1996 and Australian Open 1999) and Olympic gold medalist (2000 Sydney), is a fellow Russian. Medvedev acknowledged they are not close, but he clearly values Kafelnikov’s experience and success on clay, especially at Roland Garros. Kafelnikov also won the 1996 French Open as a 22-year-old, defeating Michael Stich in the final, and his all-court game made him a versatile threat. For Medvedev, who is still seeking his first Roland Garros title, having Kafelnikov’s advice on tackling a jam-packed season would be invaluable. This year, Medvedev is playing in Paris twice in three months, with the Olympics returning to the same clay courts after the French Open. Kafelnikov, who won Olympic gold in men’s singles in 2000, knows exactly what it takes to balance Grand Slam pressure with national pride.
But the press conference wasn’t just about dream dinners. Medvedev also weathered more rainy conditions to advance under the roof on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The match had a bizarre interruption when a pigeon crashed into a light fixture near the court, suffering a shock injury. The umpire stopped play to gently pick up the bird and hand it to tournament staff. Medvedev, ever the realist, admitted that the incident gave him a crucial extra minute to catch his breath at a critical point in the match. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God, if it gives me extra minute to breath, it would be perfect,’ and it did. For me it was a good moment,” he joked. He also expressed concern for the pigeon, hoping it was taken to a vet clinic. “I don't know. We need to ask what happened after.”
This light-hearted moment reflects Medvedev’s often overlooked charisma. On court, he can appear stoic or frustrated, but off the court, he is a chill person who can talk to anyone, as he described himself. His career has been a testament to adaptability: once dismissed as a hard-court specialist, he has now won titles on clay (Rome 2023, in addition to earlier appearances) and has pushed deep into Grand Slams on all surfaces. At Roland Garros 2024, he has looked comfortable through three rounds, using his flat groundstrokes and clever court positioning to neutralize opponents. His improved movement on clay has been a key factor, as he now slides with confidence and constructs points more patiently.
Medvedev’s path to the title is fraught with potential challenges, including Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner. But his mental game is strong, and his dream dinner party might just come true if he keeps winning. After all, if he were to hoist the Coupe des Mousquetaires, he would surely have many stories to share with Djokovic, McEnroe, and Kafelnikov—perhaps over a private dinner with no cameras.
The Russian’s choice of Kafelnikov also highlights the legacy of Russian tennis. Kafelnikov, along with former world No. 1 Marat Safin, laid the groundwork for the current generation of Russian players, including Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Karen Khachanov. Kafelnikov’s Olympic gold in 2000 was a high point, and his versatility on all surfaces is something Medvedev admires. Medvedev has a 1-0 head-to-head record against Kafelnikov in his entire professional career? Actually, they have never met—the age gap prevents it. But Medvedev’s respect for his predecessor is evident.
As the tournament progresses, Medvedev will need to maintain his focus. The pigeon incident, while amusing, is just one of many distractions that can arise at a major. The constant rain delays in Paris have tested players’ patience, but Medvedev has remained composed. He has also developed a reputation for using offbeat comments to relieve tension, a tactic that endears him to fans.
In the broader context of tennis, Medvedev’s dinner party picks reflect a thoughtful and historically aware player. He didn’t choose the typical legends like Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal—though he has nothing against them. Instead, he chose figures who represent different eras and styles: Djokovic’s modern dominance, McEnroe’s colorful personality, and Kafelnikov’s Russian clay-court success. This selection shows Medvedev’s desire for authentic, varied perspectives.
Looking ahead, Medvedev might make that dream dinner party a reality by winning more titles and building deeper relationships with his peers. But for now, the bird is hopefully healed, the rain is holding off, and the clay is getting faster as Paris warms up. Medvedev enters the fourth round with momentum, and his dream dinner table might have to wait—tennis comes first.
Source: Tennis.com News