Mini Meddy: Seeing himself in daughter Alisa is pushing Daniil Medvedev's self-development

HALLE, Germany—At the Terra Wortmann Open, Daniil Medvedev takes a seat in a small office. He’s just come from completing a playful social media activity with countryman Andrey Rublev. After finishing one more round of content deliverables for the ATP, it’s time for us to chat.

Medvedev may have had a busy day off the court, but he’s fully engaged in our conversation. The 2021 US Open champion listens keenly and doesn’t shy away from making eye contact. He’s a vivid communicator, from the expressions painted on his face and energetic hand gestures that follow, to the way he connects to the subject matter at hand through thoughtful storytelling.

“When I give interviews, I’m open to doing it. I want to say what I think,” he shares. “But if you would ask me for an interview when I’m in Monte Carlo, I’ll say definitely not just because I want to be home.”

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That approach is perfectly in line with how Medvedev operates. He is upfront and unfiltered. His emotions can pour out like a waterfall and come crashing down. He doesn’t attempt to cover up imperfections or mask perceived flaws. Every attribute shapes his true character, one he is willing to be accepted or rejected.

“Being an authentic person is not lying about yourself,” Medvedev states. “When I’m out to eat and someone comes to me in this moment for a picture, I would say, ‘no.’ They maybe see that as a bit arrogant. Or think I’m an angry person when they see me on court throwing racquets. I would not consider myself an angry person. But at this exact moment, maybe.

“Being authentic is knowing what you want to do in life and how you want to act.”

When I'm on court or outside it, I really try to achieve this state of mind where I'm being true to myself. And not care what other people think about this, except my close ones. —Daniil Medvedev

There’s a part of the 20-time title holder that contemplates how he would have been viewed in another time. In today’s era, opinions flood social-media platforms each day. On-court outbursts or controversial moments are immediately clipped and blasted out online. Players are often on the receiving end of negative and hurtful messages whenever they lose or rub viewers the wrong way.

“I wonder how it was in let’s say the ‘80s,” muses Medvedev. “Some people like [John] McEnroe, some people dislike him. But unless they say to his face on the street, he could not really hear about it except maybe in the newspaper.

“Now you can just go on Instagram and see a hundred people a day who don’t like you and a thousand who do. I’m just trying—and I don’t always succeed—to be myself. And I understand by doing some things, someone will say, ‘Oh my God, what an angry tennis player.’ And someone else is going to say, ‘Continue. Do it more.’

Does that sway Medvedev to change his ways? Absolutely not.

“I’m like, ‘No. I’m not going to do it more.’ I’m doing what I feel like. I’m not going to exaggerate it for someone to like it,” he continues. “When I’m on court or outside it, I really try to achieve this state of mind where I’m being true to myself. And not care what other people think about this, except my close ones.

“That’s where it’s important to make a change if they feel like you need to. It’s constant work on balancing things and I like it.”

Speaking of switching it up, we take the conversation in a more personal direction. In October 2022, Medvedev and wife Daria welcomed their first child, daughter Alisa. As she grows fast before the happy couple’s eyes, Medvedev has been compelled to look inward.

Whether it’s lessons in patience or compassion, Alisa is unknowingly pushing her dad to embrace self-development. For his willingness to be more open-minded impacts her as much as it does the former world No. 1.

“I don’t always succeed to be the best father I want to be, but it teaches you,” he says. “I am even trying to read books about it because I really want her to grow up as a happy person.”

“When you’re talking to adults, or you’re talking to yourself, you can be like, ‘I said this one time already. Why don’t you understand?’ With kids, it doesn’t work like this, so that helps you a lot in life to then relate. You have to repeat to them without raising your voice, trying to explain.”

If something doesn't go her way, then she throws a toy in anger or bites it. My wife is looking at me saying, ‘Okay, where does it come from?’ And that's pretty funny because you start asking yourself if it's just pure genetics and I don't have an answer to this question. —Medvedev on daughter Alisa

Medvedev arrived at the season’s final major in New York looking for his own state of bliss. It’s been 15 months since he last stood in the winners’ circle, having come up one win short at the Australian Open and Indian Wells earlier this year.

Once again thriving in the city that’s most often proven to bring the best out of him on the court, a return trip to the quarterfinals thus far won’t stop Medvedev from continuing to work on himself. After all, Alisa will be watching.

“If something doesn’t go her way, then she throws a toy in anger or bites it. My wife is looking at me saying, ‘Okay, where does it come from?’ And that’s pretty funny because you start asking yourself if it’s just pure genetics and I don’t have an answer to this question,” he says with a smile.

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As we wrap up, I wonder if Medvedev sees one specific quality of himself in Alisa. Without hesitation, the 28-year-old opens up about his stubbornness to accept assistance from those around him. His mini me—or Meddy Me—is a walking carbon copy.

“Many times I need help from my coaches, from family. They can say whatever they want, but until I decide what I need, it’s not going to work. And it’s the same with her,” Medvedev explains. “I can repeat 10 times, ‘Alisa, let me help you with a car. It doesn’t go, so you need to turn it on.’ She won’t let you, until she decides that she wants your help. Then she’s going to come and give you the car. If you try to help without her accepting it, she’s going to cry.

“Yeah, my character.”