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.”
