"When I'm 40, if I can say I played Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles Olympics, I'm gonna be happy": Daniil Medvedev on 'easy' choice to compete at Paris 2024

Daniil Medvedev recently talked about some factors that motivated him to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the tennis tournament of which, begins on July 27. The Russian claimed that he had a positive experience at the Tokyo Games three years ago, even though it was a lot less lively compared to past editions due to COVID-19 protocols.

Medvedev competed in the men's singles and the men's doubles events at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, losing in the quarterfinals and the first round, respectively. Unfortunately, his experience was hindered by the fact that the tennis event was held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the players were required to wear masks and practice social distancing when they weren't on the court.

In that context, Daniil Medvedev admitted while speaking to the media at Wimbledon that he was looking forward to this year's Games, which will be held in front of a full-capacity crowd at the Stade Roland Garros.

"Very easy decision. In Tokyo, I loved the atmosphere. I loved being there, playing there. It's going to be even different than Paris because Tokyo was [during] COVID, so no people," Daniil Medvedev said. "It was a little like a closed atmosphere, and I loved it. I'm sure it's going to be even more fun in Paris."

The 28-year-old also asserted that in an ideal scenario, it would've been better for him to prepare for the North American hard-court swing that begins in August. However, he didn't want any regrets in the future about not capturing the Olympic experience.

"I know that if I'm thinking strictly about my personal career, [it would be ] better to go to Canada, prepare for hardcourts, etc," he added. "But when I'm 40, if I can say I played in the Tokyo Olympics, Paris Olympics, Los Angeles Olympics, I had a lot of fun in my life, my career, I'm gonna be happy."

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Daniil Medvedev: "I have more chances in doubles and mixed doubles than in singles"

Daniil Medvedev returns a ball at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics

Daniil Medvedev further insisted that he will be focusing more on securing a medal in men's doubles and mixed doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He admittedly doesn't feel he has plausible chances of going deep in singles considering the event will be held on clay.

"I'm gonna prepare a lot in doubles and mixed doubles because I do believe I have more chances there than in Roland Garros singles," Medvedev said. "I'm gonna have a lot of fun, enjoy playing and I look forward to it."

Having been seeded second in the men's singles competition at the 2021 Paris Olympics, Medvedev won his first three matches before losing to eventual bronze medalist Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarterfinals. In men's doubles, he teamed up with Aslan Karatsev, and the pair lost to Slovakia's Filip Polasek and Lukas Klein in the opening round.