Daniil Medvedev

(August 28, 2026) FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – Some of the top tennis players at the US Open met the media on Friday, including Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev, Linda Noskova, Alex Eala, Frances Tiafoe, Daniil Medvedev, as well as former finalist and retiring player Kei Nishikori.

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz told the media about his decision to come back and defend his title after being off the tour since April, as well as his World Cup experience:

Q. How challenging has the past four months been? What was the toughest period? Was there any period when you weren’t able to be as positive?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I’m gonna say, like, it’s been four months, four months and a half that I have everything. Yeah, the first month was kind of difficult for me, because I couldn’t do anything with my right arm. It was tough.

But at the same time, I enjoyed my time. I enjoyed my time with family, with friends, staying at home. But once I started to practice a little bit, that I didn’t know when I’m gonna start, that thoughts are really difficult to deal with, because I don’t know if I’m gonna be ready for Cincinnati, for US Open, or I’m gonna miss the whole American swing.

So that thoughts were really difficult to deal with. But finally, here we are. My goal was try to be healthy as soon as possible and try not to miss, you know, more competitions.

So I would say that intrusive thoughts were the most difficult things to deal with in this process.

Q. When you say it’s all in your head, have you made any technical changes at all to any of your game, either because of what’s happened or to prevent it from recurring, happening again?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, no, not at all. I have been doing the same things. I didn’t change anything about technique, but movement, about the way that I’m gonna play. I just wanted to feel like I’m gonna be myself.

And I think that’s important. So if I just felt that I had to change something to come here, I couldn’t be here. So I think for me the most important thing is to be and to keep my identity, myself. You know, hopefully have a really long career. So that’s what I was thinking. For me, was the most important thing.

Q. How did you make the decision that this was the time, this was the tournament where you’d be ready to come back? How much was that at all in doubt? Also being the best-of-five tournament for your coming back, was that a challenge as the first event?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I know coming here, coming to the US Open, best-of-five for the first one, I mean, in such a long time, it’s really challenging. Probably, you know, in terms of preparation and everything is not the best time.

But we, my team and me, believe that I’m ready. It wasn’t an easy decision. I just did whatever it took to, you know, to be ready. You know, I just tried to do everything perfect on and off the court, to feel ready, really long practices, really intense practices, just to see how my wrist is going to react on the practices and after that really long days.

Yeah, we saw it’s everything okay, is everything good with those practices, and we believe and we thought it’s going to be the time to be back. I think there is no better tournament than the US Open to be back and feel the love and feel the warm welcome that always the people here giving to me.

Q. Tell us what it was like to watch Spain win the World Cup last month. And why did you take the trophy? How did that come about, that ceremony?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, well, first of all, for me it was a lifetime experience, you know, seeing Spain winning the World Cup. And yeah, when I came here, just, you know, I thought about it, and I still thinking about it sometimes.

So it’s great. Louis Vuitton had the trunks that was carrying the trophy, so they told me that I’m down to do it. And, I mean, it was a lifetime experience for me, like holding the trophy in the ceremony, to give it to them, you know, on the field. So it was a great experience.

Going back a little bit about, you know, the things that I missed, tournaments that I missed and everything, I just try to, you know, make the most of the opportunities that life brought to me, and this is one of those things that I enjoy, I enjoy so much.

It was a really cool experience and really cool moment.

Coco Gauff talked about her mother’s post on Instagram, addressing those requesting tickets:

Q. Your mom posted on Instagram yesterday about the requests that you get for tickets, and she was very polite and firm, but can you expand on that a little bit. Do you see the most demand around the US Open? Why might that be? Obviously you’ve had a lot of success on tour, winning matches all over the world. What about this week compares to the rest of your time on tour in terms of the demand you get for tickets?

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, for starters, I did not know she was posting that. I saw the Cincinnati picture before I went to practice and I saw a long caption. I’m like, Oh, this is probably something sweet, I’ll read it after practice, because I was on the way on court. Then I saw somebody on Threads say, Oh, Mama Gauff is strict. I was like, what’s going on?

I looked, and then I see this post, and I’m, like, Oh, my goodness. But honestly, it was needed, and it was directed, yeah, towards a few family and friends.

No, to be honest, yeah, people come out of the woodwork. You haven’t spoken to someone for years. They don’t say congrats or happy birthday or nothing, then they’re like, Oh, I’m in New York, can I have 8 tickets to your match in your box, please.

They give us tickets here, but they’re selling an event so it’s not like I can give all these people tickets. No, last year they were really stressed out between my mom and my dad trying to accommodate everyone.

If we have it, we’ll give it. But it was just I think stressful for them. A lot of people personally don’t have my number, so they don’t reach out to me. They’ll reach out to them or someone on my team.

Yeah, I guess, I don’t know who the person who sent her a text this year where she felt that was like the final straw. But somebody must have sent her something, and she was just, like, I need to make a post.

Yeah, specifically in New York, it’s just crazy. But New York and Wimbledon are the ones that I think people want to come to, and we try our best to accommodate everyone. But some of the requests, you would be surprised at how absurd they are.

Frances Tiafoe discussed the comeback of Alcaraz and his hair.

Q. This time last year you had a few thoughts about Carlos’ trim.

FRANCES TIAFOE: I was with him yesterday. I think the long hair is fire. I like it.

Q. The cornrows.

FRANCES TIAFOE: I asked him if he was going to do it. He said, no, the upkeep is too hard. But he had a do-rag. I was, like, Come on, champ.

That was awesome. That was awesome. Yeah, I like him with long hair. He said he’s going to keep the long hair. I just want y’all to know, Carlos is my guy. He would say the same. I love that dude, for sure.

Q. Carlos, what do you think about him coming back and how quickly he becomes a problem for the rest of the tour?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Sure. If he comes back anywhere near his level it’s tough. Regardless, even if he’s not at his tip-top, he’s still got to be No. 5. We’ll see how it goes, man. Everyone is going to be pretty tapped in to see his first match. We’ll see how it goes. He’s 10 years older and has seven slams, he’s going to be a tough out regardless.

Yeah, I mean, he’s always a guy we’re going to look at, but a lot of guys believe they can not only get him but win the event. It’s going to be an exciting US Open. It’s going to be exciting for you guys.

Jessica Pegula discussed her leadership role among the players:

Q. I think I’m right in saying every woman in the top 10 at the moment has either won a Masters 1000 or a slam this year, which is pretty rare at this point in the season. I wonder how that kind of depth and openness affects how you look at a Grand Slam coming in. Do you think it makes it a bit harder or easier because there’s not one solid favorite?

JESSICA PEGULA: Yeah, I don’t know. I guess you could look at it both ways. I think looking at the points for just the year is pretty crazy to see the top 10, the top girls for the year-end Finals. It’s really close. Especially just comparatively looking at the men, just the number of points. I know maybe we have a couple more 1000s than they do. But looking at the difference between the points of people in the top 10 to the men, you can just see how the depth is pretty crazy.

I think it’s everyone has been very consistent, honestly, in that aspect. I don’t know. It makes it hard to a certain extent, but then at least you kind of know there’s not one or two super dominant players where you feel like they have to lose in order for you to have a chance. You can look at it both ways.

It seems to me like maybe more open in, in a way, just because, I don’t know, there’s more chances. I don’t know. Sorry, that was a terrible answer. I don’t know what I’m saying. I don’t know (smiling).

Q. You have taken a role in leadership and structure on the tours, you were quoted in the announcement about the agreement with the slams. Could you articulate a bit more about how you feel about what’s been accomplished so far and also about the council you’re getting behind the scenes.

JESSICA PEGULA: I think it’s been amazing what the players have been able to accomplish. They have never had anything like this as far as with the slams being able to generate a council, also the player welfare contribution, and then another increase in prize money has been amazing. It shows being united on the men and the women’s side, especially with the top players, have put a lot of pressure on the slams just to continue to grow our sport and feel like we’re making progress at least with the players.

There is still of course more work to do and there’s going to be a lot of things that come up, but I am definitely appreciative of, especially the US Open, to kind of step forward with making those announcements and wanting to do that.

I think it’s very important for our sport, but obviously that doesn’t mean it ends there. I think going into the council, we’ll see how that’s constructed, and whose on it and how it’s made up, and then I think a lot of discussions will have to go through there.

It’s been interesting to be a part of. It’s just the other side of tennis and dealing with slams. Tennis is very fractionalized in a lot of ways. So being able to kind of get everyone on the same page is a huge step for our sport and for the players. I know a lot of the players have been really appreciative of that. I’m happy that I could be a part of it.v

Kei Nishikori’s career at major tournaments has ended with a loss to his countryman, Rei Sakamoto, in the qualifying tournament final round.

Q. What do you think it must have been like for him, knowing he had to play against you in this round and what it could mean obviously if you didn’t win that match?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, I’m sure he had more pressure than me. You know, I had zero pressure coming into today’s match. I was really excited to play Rei. I know him for a long time, and we practiced together a lot in IMG.

You know, I know he doesn’t want to lose to me right now (smiling). If it’s in the past, maybe yes. But I know he doesn’t want to lose, and he’s been playing really well. So I was really excited coming into the match, and I think he played really good, very fast, good serve, and didn’t let me play, didn’t give me good rhythm.

So I couldn’t play my best today.

Q. You were a 2014 finalist, and I was surprised you didn’t get a wildcard entry. Did it bother you had to go through the qualifiers? I know Stan Wawrinka said he wasn’t going to do it, and they gave him eventually the wildcard entry. I wonder what your thoughts were on that, did it bother you?

KEI NISHIKORI: Nothing. I was lucky. I mean, I was happy to get in even qualifying. Wildcard, I know it’s kind of rare to give wildcard someone didn’t win a slam or I don’t have any title in Masters, either.

So really happy to be here, and I think Stan deserve it. He won many Grand Slams, and he’s been there for a long time. He’s been still fighting, and I’m really proud and respect Stan what he’s doing now.

You know, I wish I could win today and go into the main draw, but still, I’m really happy played three matches, three good matches.

Q. Roger Federer was sitting here a few days ago before his exhibition. He’s coming into the Hall of Fame tomorrow. He had praising words for you. I want to know, do you think the young players today know how big Federer was, how his legacy was or still is?

KEI NISHIKORI: I don’t know. I think so. I mean, he’s too big for tennis. I see many articles, you know, like who is the GOAT. But for me, he was my idol.

Maybe result-wise it’s Djoko, but for me, when I wanted to watch tennis, he was the one I really enjoy watching his tennis, and beautiful tennis. I really respect him and played many matches against him. I won a couple, and that was great memory for me, great achievement.

I’m sure there is many, tons of fans for him even now.

Yeah, I mean, I really respect Novak is still being top 10, top 5, still play great tennis. There is maybe some injuries, but he’s still fighting. It’s not easy to do.

So I really respect, you know, those, of course Rafa, too.

Q. You mentioned how Federer kind of transcended sport, but you have also had a big impact especially on Asian tennis. With your retirement, where do you see yourself in the tennis landscape moving forward?

KEI NISHIKORI: No plan yet. I hope I can help, especially Japanese or Asian tennis.

It’s, you know, kind of sad that there is no top-20 or top-30 Asian players after me. That a little bit worries me, but like you see Jason Yibing and Jerry, there is many Chinese player can be top 20, top 10, I hope, and also Rei can be great player. I hope I can, you know, maybe help some way, not right now but maybe in the future, yes. I hope there can be, you know, three or four people in top 20, top 30.

Q. Reflecting on your win in 2022 in the juniors, when you come back to Flushing Meadows, what specific memories or feelings return when you step onto the ground?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I mean, it’s just excitement. I’m very excited. When I go in the locker room, I have the same locker. Not as back then in 2022 but as the recent years. And, you know, to hit the practice courts, and to see very familiar faces, it’s nice.

Q. Maybe it’s a slightly weird question, but curious, not just in the Philippines, how aware you are of the impact you’re having on tennis. Like I think everybody in the media is aware that put your name in the headlines for something and it will get ten times the hits. It’s a game changer for the sport in terms of economy, and that’s a lot on one person’s shoulders. I wondered how aware you are of that, how you experience that.

ALEXANDRA EALA: Well, I think at the forefront of everything is gratitude. I’m very grateful for the support, right, that my fans give me and that my supporters give me.

But in terms of what I contribute to the tennis, every single WTA player and every single ATP player has contributed to the world of tennis and its history just by being here and by putting in the work every single day.

So although there are certain things like the media and the things that you mentioned that make me stand out, I think that I’m a drop in the ocean when it comes to these things. And the more I’m on tour, the more I learn about the history.

Of course this year, having had the pleasure to play doubles twice with Venus, I have learned a lot about her mentality on court, but also things about how she championed equal prize money with her sister, and things like that. Maybe the regular player on tour who’s not so exposed to the media, what they’ve had to work towards and what they’ve had to work through to get to where they are now is so inspiring in itself.

So there are so many stories behind the scenes that you might not even realize. So that really keeps me humble. It keeps me motivated to work harder and stay among these incredible people.

Q. It was announced I think earlier today or last night that there is going to be a match, an exhibition match between you and Janice Tjen in the Philippine Arena, which potentially could break a record for the most fans in a match. I think it’s like 55,000 can fit. When did you first hear about this concept, why were you on board for it, and what do you expect playing in terms of playing in an arena that fits that many people?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I’ve never even been to the Philippine Arena. I don’t know what to expect except for great competition. Like I said, it’s a way to celebrate culture, to celebrate tennis, and for people to have fun. It’s nice. I think it’s going to be a really great experience for people to watch tennis live.

A lot of my matches are, 99% of my matches are overseas, so for me to be back home and playing in front of the people in the Philippines, it’s going to be super special.

Q. You talked about wanting to explore the city. When you do have time in a foreign city to explore, what types of things do you like to do? Are you a museum person, would you like to see a show?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I’m definitely a restaurant person and a shopping person (laughter). Those are my two. Or maybe cafes, bakeries. I love that. I’m such a foodie. Maybe it’s the Filipino in me.

Yeah, I have even here in New York some spots that I go really every year, yeah.