Daniil Medvedev Pinpoints ‘Biggest Problem’ in Tennis and Backs Players for Their Fight: “We Have Little Power”

Daniil Medvedev is in Vienna competing in the ATP 500 event. The Russian ace has so far played 67 matches in 2026, the second-most this season, following Alexander Zverev (76).

In spite of non-stop tennis, Sascha has been able to keep injuries at bay, unlike Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard injured his wrist in Barcelona, while Sinner has been nursing a knee injury.

Medvedev, on the other hand, has had a topsy-turvy season. In quite a few events, including in Majors, he suffered early exits. But he has also taken home four titles, winning in Brisbane, Dubai, and Hangzhou, and defended the Almaty Open (the first time in his career he defended a title).

Ahead of starting his campaign in Vienna, the 2021 US Open champion complained about the grueling tennis calendar, before highlighting what he thinks is the biggest problem in tennis.

I’m in favor of giving a lot of importance to the most important tournaments. I don’t think tennis is well organized because we’re obligated to play too many events throughout the year. The norm these days is to be competing for more than 35 weeks a year.

Daniil Medvedev said at the pre-tournament press conference (H/T: Tennis365)

Alcaraz has also time and again expressed his frustration with the schedule, blaming it for his and Sinner’s injuries.

The biggest problem in tennis is that we players have very little power. While it’s true there’s a Players’ Council, and we have the right to vote, the influence we actually wield when decisions are made is very limited, and ultimately, we’re the ones who make it happen. We need to have a bigger voice when issues like the calendar are debated, and I’ll support any players who want to fight for that.

Daniil Medvedev added

The tennis season will end after the ATP Finals. Medvedev is in contention for the year-end championships as he hits fifth in the race to Turin. Zverev, Alcaraz, and Ben Shelton are the only players who have qualified. Two-time defending champion Sinner won’t play because he has called time on this season.

Daniil Medvedev on the conditions in Vienna

Daniil Medvedev is chasing his second title in Vienna. He won it here for the first time in 2022 by defeating Denis Shapovalov.

The former World No.1 also reached the final the following season but lost the title to Jannik Sinner. This season, after beating Daniel Merida Aguilar in the opening round, Medvedev said he hoped he had fully adjusted to conditions.

It’s just a matter of trying your best, because even if a court is slow or fast, I won on many courts, and even on different surfaces. I just needed to try my best and get used to it, because it’s not easy when on Sunday you are playing on one court, and Wednesday on another one. It’s a good win, I’m looking forward to the next one.

Daniil Medvedev said (H/T: ATP Tour)

After the Vienna Open, Medvedev will compete at the Paris Masters, set to start on November 2. Medvedev is a one-time champion in the last Masters 1000 of the season, winning in 2020 by beating Alexander Zverev and losing to Novak Djokovic the following season.

He failed to qualify for the year-end championship last year. It was also the first time since his 2019 debut that he failed to reach the final eight.

The ATP Finals starts on November 15. If Medvedev qualifies, he will be chasing his second title in the event. He won it in 2020 by beating Dominic Thiem, and lost in the final the following season to Zverev.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz Reveals Why He Was ‘Unhappy’ During Practice Session in Vienna