Daniil Medvedev Plays Down Involvement of AI in Professional Tennis: “You Have to Do Yourself”

Daniil Medvedev improved his head-to-head record over Fabian Marozsan to 4-0.

Daniil Medvedev Plays Down Involvement of AI in Professional Tennis: “You Have to Do Yourself”

Daniil Medvedev (Image via X/TENNISCentel)

In Short
  • Daniil Medvedev advanced to the third round of the Madrid Open after defeating Fabian Marozsan.
  • He expressed skepticism about AI's role in tennis, emphasizing the importance of personal effort.
  • Medvedev aims to build confidence on clay after a challenging start to the season, including a previous loss at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Daniil Medvedev is competing at the Madrid Open. In his opening round, the Russian ace battled past Fabian Marozsan 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-4 to reach the third round in the tournament for the fifth time.

Medvedev is chasing his third title of the season. He kicked off his campaign for the 2026 season at the Brisbane International by defeating Brandon Nakashima. Then, in the Dubai Tennis Championships final, the Russian ace received a walkover from Tallon Griekspoor.

Medvedev now holds a perfect 4-0 head-to-head record over Marozsan. At the press conference after his win, the 2021 US Open finalist discussed the role of AI in tennis.

In general, I don’t like AI, to be honest. Although sometimes I might be a bit lazy, I think there are things you have to do yourself. I feel like a lot of people sit on the couch and let AI live their lives, and I don’t like that. For fun with friends or with the team, we have done it a few times, but just for fun.

Apart from the aforementioned events, Medvedev also reached the final of the Indian Wells Masters but failed to defeat World No.1, Jannik Sinner. Medvedev has so far clinched six Masters 1000 titles.

Because you see things and say: ‘okay, I understand this… but how do I do it on the court?’. In the end, you have to do it yourself. That’s why I think people are sometimes better than AI: you have to win for yourself, you can’t lose and say that AI didn’t help you.

Daniil Medvedev added

Medvedev will next be locking horns with qualifier Nicolai Budkov Kjær, who knocked out Denis Shapovalov. The 30-year-old is a two-time quarterfinalist in the fourth Masters 1000 of the season, reaching the stage in 2024 and 2025.

Daniil Medvedev is confident about his performance on clay after his hard-fought win in Madrid

Daniil Medvedev, the winner of 23 singles titles, has so far clinched just one trophy on clay. Back in 2023, Medvedev beat Holger Rune to win the Italian Open, also the last time he won a Big Title. Following his hard-fought win over Fabian Marozsan, Medvedev said matches like this help his confidence.

Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev (Image via X/Tiempo De Tenis)

You need to win more matches like this to gradually build confidence. The important thing is that the level was very high, and that gives you confidence because you think: if I play like this, I can beat many players. Obviously, if they play very well, they can also beat me; that’s tennis.

Daniil Medvedev said at the press conference

Before arriving in Madrid, Medvedev played at the Monte-Carlo Masters and suffered a great disappointment. In the opening round, he registered a 6-0, 6-0 defeat at the hands of Matteo Berrettini. Medvedev had lost his cool during that match and smashed his racket seven times before throwing it in the dustbin. It was the first time Medvedev suffered a double bagel defeat in his career.

After Madrid, Medvedev will be playing at the Italian Open, where last year, he lost to home favorite Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round. Then at the French Open, Cameron Norrie defeated him in five sets in the first round.

While Medvedev is chasing his first title in Madrid. Casper Ruud is competing as the defending champion. Last year in the final, he defeated Jack Draper, who withdrew from the tournament.

Two-time Madrid Open champion Carlos Alcaraz is also not competing, and Novak Djokovic also pulled out. World No.1 Jannik Sinner is chasing his fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title, having won last year’s Paris Masters and this year’s Indian Wells, Miami Open, and the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Also read: Andrea Petkovic Gives Harsh Reality Check on Carlos Alcaraz’s Popularity After French Open Withdrawal