DANIIL MEDVEDEV’S parents are unable to watch their son play at his first ATP Finals – because they could not get a visa to visit the UK.
Russians Sergey and Olga are therefore having to sit tightly at home while the world No4 struggles to rediscover his best form at the O2 Arena in London.
Medvedev’s wife Daria is over and was spotted courtside today but he does not have the comfort of his mum and dad being around.
And he could have done with them this week as he lost his first two matches – firstly to rival Stefanos Tsitsipas and then in heartbreaking fashion to Rafael Nadal.
He did, though, refuse to blame his parents’ absence for his results.
Medvedev said: “Russians with other countries is always tough talking about visas.
“I had many problems myself, many problems for my girlfriend and so now it’s my parents.
“I don’t know the rules. They still don’t have it.
“I’m focusing on my game. It didn’t work out today, but it’s not because they were not here.
“Of course it’s a bit sad. It’s more sad for them, because they probably wanted to see me play at the O2.”
The Russian star, 23, had match point against Nadal as he led 5-1 in the third set but mentally imploded, allowing the world No1 to fight back and claim a dramatic victory.
He was quizzed on his psychological struggles – which included self-deprecating sarcastic clapping and venting at his team – after the collapse.
Medvedev added: “To be honest with you, it’s something I feel inside of me and something not good, something disturbing me, something I had a lot when I was younger.
“So when I was young I was completely crazy on the court. I couldn’t let myself miss one ball. I would throw the racket over the fence straightaway.
“I have been working a lot on it. I have progressed a lot but still not enough. Talking about thumbs up, it’s just emotions. If I would break the racket it would be same emotions.
“It’s anger, which is not good that it’s coming towards my team, because they try to help me, which I understand here after the match, but on the court it’s tougher with emotions going.
“I just need to close out such matches. I probably need to still continue working mentally as I do every day to be better.”
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