Daniil Medvedev, the renowned Russian tennis player, has candidly expressed his thoughts on the stark contrast between his on-court and off-court demeanors. He humorously suggested that the disparity might be indicative of a mild form of bipolarity. Interestingly, Medvedev also observed similar behavioral patterns in his daughter, Alisa.
Medvedev had a recent comeback victory against Karen Khachanov, his fellow Russian tennis player, in the inaugural round of the ATP 500 tournament held in Doha. He turned the tables by winning 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, after initially being a set down.
However, the match was not without its share of drama. Medvedev, the former world No. 1, was seen tossing his racket into the air out of frustration late in the first set. This display of emotion is not uncharacteristic for Medvedev, as his on-court meltdowns and outbursts have been well-documented over the years.
What baffles the 29-year-old tennis star is that such intense emotional moments are exclusive to his time on the court. Off the court, he is entirely different, more relaxed and composed.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Medvedev compared his dual persona to being somewhat bipolar. He explains, “When I’m on the court, I’m very focused, and the adrenaline is flowing. In contrast, when I’m off the court, there’s no adrenaline, and I’m cool. I can’t understand why I should get upset. However, on the court, it’s a completely different narrative.”
Medvedev has noticed similar traits in his daughter, suggesting that this might be a genetic disposition. He also mentioned seeking help from psychologists to understand this dichotomy better, and he speculated that it might have roots in his childhood.
Despite this, Medvedev acknowledges the importance of his competitive spirit, referring to it as playing “to the death” on the court. He accepts that during moments of heightened motivation and determination, emotions can escalate, potentially leading to outbursts.
Following his victory over Khachanov, Medvedev also triumphed over Zizou Bergs. This win has set the stage for a thrilling Doha quarterfinal against Felix Auger-Aliassime. While his on-court persona continues to fascinate fans and critics alike, his prowess as a player remains undisputed.
