Daniil Medvedev finds doubles format “disturbing” after Olympic defeats in Paris

Daniil Medvedev is rarely uncomfortable on the singles court but admitted his struggles to translate that adaptability to doubles at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

With his inimitable knack for self-deprecating flair, of course.

“Sometimes I can play doubles well, but in principle four people on the court disturbs me,” Medvedev said after partnering teenaged compatriot Mirra Andreeva for a 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Italians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. “I make mistakes on those balls that I never make mistakes on in singles, although the court is smaller.

“It's a shame,” added the 2021 US Open champion, who also lost in the first round of men’s doubles with Roman Safiullin. “I wanted to prove to myself that I can. But I couldn't. It always hurts, but it happens. That's life.”

Playing as an Individual Neutral Athlete, Medvedev is making his second Olympic appearance, reaching the quarterfinals in men’s singles at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. The No. 4 seed is still alive in singles this time after a straightforward opener against Rinky Hijikata.

But even alongside Andreeva, who reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros last month, doubles proved a different animal.

Many fans clipped some of his more awkward moments on the court against Errani, who is known for having one of the slower serves in tennis.

Brat summer will continue for Medvedev all the same in his singles second round against Austria’s Sebastian Ofner.