WHY DANIIL MEDVEDEV RETURNED TO ST. PETERSBURG FOR CONTROVERSIAL TENNIS EVENT.
Daniil Medvedev is competing in the controversial Northern Palmyra Trophies exhibition. He cites a desire to win, see St. Petersburg, and entertain the home crowd.
Daniil Medvedev says he has many reasons for playing in a Russian exhibition that's been controversial since it began in 2022.
The Northern Palmyra Trophies started in St. Petersburg three years ago, after Russia lost its ATP and WTA events due to the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The event, held in late November and December since 2022, has drawn some big names from both men's and women's tennis, both from Russia and other countries.
Even though Russian and Belarusian players weren't banned from tennis and could still play as neutrals, this St. Petersburg exhibition has caused controversy.
The Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom, which is believed to be funding Russia's war efforts, funds and sponsors the event.
Adrian Mannarino from France and Roberto Bautista Agut from Spain have been criticised for playing in past years, and Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands is playing this year.
While Alexander Bublik is also playing in 2025, Medvedev's presence has gotten the most attention.
Medvedev, 29, is one of Russia's best tennis players ever and one of only three Russian men to reach world No. 1.
He won the 2021 US Open and is still a major figure in men's tennis, finishing the year ranked 13th.
He has stated his distance from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and hadn't played in this event before 2025, but he's playing matches against Griekspoor and Bublik this year.
Speaking to Match TV before the event started, Medvedev explained his decision to play.
There are many reasons, Medvedev said.
I haven’t been to St. Petersburg since 2020. I’m happy to be back—it’s one of the most beautiful cities, if not the most beautiful.
“I’ll try to play my best, even though it's just an exhibition. I prepared like it was a Grand Slam, especially for the singles matches against Griekspoor and Bublik, because I lost to them this year.
“Yes, it's not official, but I’ll try to win. I want to play well and entertain the crowd.”
Besides Medvedev, Bublik, and Griekspoor, WTA players like Anastasia Potapova, Diana Shnaider, and Veronika Kudermetova are also participating.
LLOYD SLAMS JANNIK SINNER & EMMA RADUCANU: DAVIS CUP HAS BECOME 'A JOKE'
Former British No. 1 John Lloyd criticised Jannik Sinner and Emma Raducanu for skipping the Davis and BJK Cups, arguing their priorities diminish the team competitions.
John Lloyd, former British No. 1, can't believe stars like Jannik Sinner and Emma Raducanu skipped the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup this year.
Sinner, ranked No. 2 globally, caught flak for not playing in the 2025 Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, even though he helped Italy win in both 2023 and 2024.
Lorenzo Musetti, ranked eighth, also backed out of Italy’s team. Still, Italy snagged a third straight title, beating Spain in the final.
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz was supposed to lead Spain in the Davis Cup, but he had to withdraw due to an injury from the ATP Finals.
With these big names missing, Alexander Zverev, ranked third, was the only top 10 player at the Davis Cup Finals.
In the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in September, Jasmine Paolini, Jessica Pegula, and Elena Rybakina, all top 10 players at the time, made appearances. Italy edged out the United States in the final.
Raducanu, the British No. 1, was questioned for not playing in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
On the Inside-In Tennis Podcast, Lloyd shared his disappointment about the Davis Cup’s decline, making it clear he wasn't happy about the absence of top players this year.
“Honestly, it makes me sad. Not just because Italy won, but because of what the Davis Cup is now. I’ve been saying for years that it’s become a bit of a joke,” Lloyd said.
“It gets by because when it’s played in another country, there are still people who come to watch, no matter what.
“But you can't call it the greatest team competition when only one top 10 player is participating. You can't fool people, except maybe in Italy, where they just want to see their country play, and they're lucky to have so many good players.
“But Musetti and Sinner didn't play due to physical reasons. They said they wanted to rest and get ready for next year. I can't believe it. That's what the Davis Cup has become. It never would have happened back when I played.”
Lloyd, who was an Australian Open runner-up in 1977, added that the same goes for the Billie Jean King Cup, and he criticised Raducanu’s choice.
“It’s not just the men; the women are doing it too. Look at the Billie Jean King Cup, which has also become a joke in its own way,” Lloyd continued.
“Emma Raducanu… Britain had a real chance to win it for once. She pulls out, saying she wants to spend time with her new coach and get ready for the next season or get ranking points. Are you kidding me?
“Isn't it always an honour to play for your country? What’s happened to the sport when players just say, ‘You know what, it’s the end of the season…'”
MIAMI FLASHBACK: NICK KYRGIOS'S LAST GREAT FEELING FUELS 2026 TOUR HOPES
After years of injury, Nick Kyrgios is targeting a 2026 return. He cites his comeback win over Mackenzie McDonald in Miami as his last strong emotional high.
Nick Kyrgios says he felt something strong during his Miami Masters match against Mackenzie McDonald earlier this year. He's aiming to get back on the court and compete on the tour again in 2026.
After missing almost all of 2023 and 2024 because of knee and wrist surgeries, Kyrgios started his comeback at the Brisbane International in early 2025. But the former world No. 13 struggled with wrist pain during the Australian tournaments and lost in the first round at both the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.
After his early exit from the Australian Open, Kyrgios suggested he might retire. The eight-time ATP champion then sat out February, came back in March, and retired in his first-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells. He then rallied to beat McDonald 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round in Miami. It was his first main-level win since the 2022 US Open.
Kyrgios lost to Karen Khachanov in the second round in Miami and hasn't played since because of wrist and knee problems.
Kyrgios said his match against McDonald was the last one that really moved him.
The last match that made me feel something strong was probably my match earlier this year against Mackenzie McDonald in Miami. I went through many years being injured, and winning a match at the Masters level was very special for me, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist told the UTS Tour.
In mid-December, Kyrgios is scheduled to play at the World Tennis League, a mixed team tournament in Bengaluru, India.
After that, he'll go to the United Arab Emirates to play against four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes match set for December 28 at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena.