Title: Daniil Medvedev Issues Sage Advice for Holger Rune in Consoling Manner After His R1 Loss at US Open
Holger Rune has decried his US Open court scheduling as ‘disrespectful’ after he was allotted a low-profile court 5 at the Flushing meadows. However, the Dane had words of encouragement received from the world No. 3 Russian Daniil Medvedev who thinks it is better to complain after a win.
Rune was part of a cluster of top seeds who were eliminated in the R1 of the New York major as he lost his opener against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena in four sets. Ahead of his first round match the youngster criticized the organizers at the major for distasteful scheduling. Talking to the press after incurring the upset defeat, the Danish sensation added that he should have given chance to decorate the bigger court in the arena. Rune posted a feisty tweet and launched an impassioned rant before his round 1 match on Danish sports broadcasters TV Sport claiming that the officials at US Open were disrespecting him as high seed by allocating court 5 to him.
“Usopen site map. In case you can find court 5, this is where I play my first match Monday followed by 11:00 @usopen #seeyou #lovemyfans #loveyoursupport,” he wrote on Twitter (now X).
It backfired the Dane lost the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 6-2, and he conceded In the post-match press conference, that his game was not influenced by the poor scheduling and he bowed down to a better player.
“That’s obviously disappointing, but not going to blame the court on the loss. He played very, very solid. Credit to him,” said Rune on his shock defeat.
Daniil Medvedev offered Rune his five cents on the issue and consoled the 20-year-old. The 2021 US Open Champion suggests Rune should have at least waited to share his sentiments about the scheduling after the match as it helps digest the disappointment of a defeat.
The Russian routed Atilla Balázs 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 on Arthur Ashe and after the clash was asked about Rune’s hard hitting tweet, he responded: “I think it’s a very tricky question, because you always have to see it in perspective. I don’t remember who exactly from the men’s side they had [Monday]. Ashe, we don’t even talk about it. I think it was Frances [Tiafoe] and Novak [Djokovic]. Then I think two Americans, so nothing to say.
“Armstrong, [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, more, I would say, let’s call it more Grand Slam experience than Holger. Two or three finals. Two, I guess.
“It’s, I mean, I can understand his frustration. I can understand why the tournament put him there. The thing is that you always want to, even if it happens to you, you always probably want to talk about it after the match, because especially if you win, because then it’s a little bit easier to kind of push your way through, let’s say.”
Medvedev offered sage advice to his fellow pro encouraging him to continue climbing the ATP ladder. The #3 seed was impressed by what the game of #4 seed and expressed his belief in the ability of the Dane to grace the bigger stages more frequently if he keeps up his level.
“But, you know, if he continues the way he’s playing right now, soon he’s going to only play on big courts. So, yeah, Holger, again, if Holger stays where he is, plays as good as he does, he’s going to play more on the bigger courts.”
Medvedev also provided an insight into his experience with an outside court allocation at Australian Open.
“I remember once I complained, and it was in Australian Open. But then I love the director. I think we’re in a great relationship with Craig [Tiley]. He actually said he didn’t want to put me late at night. He straightaway came to me and said, I would be happy to put you on Rod Laver, but he didn’t want to put me late at night.
“Sometimes it’s also a misunderstanding between players and the tournament.”