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It is not everyday that two players sharing a birthday come across each other on the court on their birthday and the duo of Daniil Medvedev and Hubert Hurkacz had one of those unique moments earlier on Saturday. Both players, celebrating their birthdays on February 11th, met and wished each other, during a practice session ahead of the ABN Amro Open in Rotterdam.
While Daniil Medvedev celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday, Hubert Hurkacz celebrated his 26th.
Felix Auger-Aliassime, who is the third seed in Rotterdam this year, greeted Hurkacz on the court before the Polish player met Medvedev and the two players shared a friendly chuckle while exchanging birthday wishes.
You can watch a video of the moment here:
Medvedev, who fell outside the Top-10 in the ATP rankings after losing in the third round of the 2023 Australian Open, is seeded sixth at the ABN Amro Open. Meanwhile, world No. 10 Hurkacz is the fifth seed.
While Medvedev was handed a tough opening round opponent in the form of Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Hurkacz will open his campaign in Rotterdam against another tough Spaniard in Roberto Bautista Agut.
Both players had bittersweet starts to their respective seasons in 2023 and were even on a collision course at the Australian Open. Medvedev reached the semifinals of the Adelaide International 1 tournament before the 2022 finalist was shocked in the third round in Melbourne. Hurkacz reached the semifinals of the inaugural United Cup with Poland, but lost in a tough five-setter to Sebastian Korda in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Celebrating their shared birthdays, both Medvedev and Hurkacz will hope that the new year in their lives brings in better luck going forward.
"In the top 30 everyone can beat everybody" - Daniil Medvedev sheds light on his dip in form since Australian Open 2022
After winning the 2021 US Open and ending the year on a high before starting 2022 on a great note by reaching the Australian Open final, Daniil Medvedev has not been in the best of form. He won two titles last season, but the Russian player has not lived up to the very high standards he has set for himself. Particularly at the Grand Slams, the former World No. 1 has not reached the quarterfinals in three tries since last year's final against Rafael Nadal in Melbourne.
While Medvedev was not quite able to put his loss of consistency down to a specific reason, he highlighted that tennis is highly competitive at the top level, where 'anyone can beat anyone' inside the Top-30.
"That's why tennis is so tough because in the top 30 everyone can beat everybody," Medvedev said in a press conference after his Australian Open exit.
"Of course, the top 10 are more consistent, and that's why, actually, I'm dropping down a little bit now, but everyone can beat everybody."
After taking some time off to reflect after the Australian Open, Medvedev will look to get some wins under his belt in Rotterdam before attempting to clinch the all-important 'Sunshine Double' in Indian Wells and Miami.
