Andrei Medvedev is a proper part of TERRA WORTMANN OPEN’s history. When Germany’s most important tennis tournament just kicked off, in its debut year 1993, Medvedev was defeated in the finals; he was the second winner behind the French jokester Henri Leconte. And after that, Medvedev was often guest in Halle in Westphalia, a very fondly seen entertainer, who was able to talk as well as handle his racket.
29 years after his premier performance Medvedev will now again ensure another memorable moment on the scene at the ATP 500er-lawn classic event – even if not in the main field of the competition. Medvedev, finalist of 1999 in a historic French Open-final against Andre Agassi, has come to East-Westphalia in the middle of the Russian war of aggression against his home country Ukraine, as short-term substitute in the “Champions Trophy“ for injured Austrian Thomas Muster.
When tournament director Ralf Weber called Medvedev and asked if he could imagine an appearance, the 47-year-old, without further ado, set all levers into motion to receive an authorization for the tennis match in Germany. “Such requests are usually approved, when it involves sports events with broadcasting and importance“, Medvedev said, ”I was quite sure that it would work out. And, after a little waiting, the okay was there.
The 1980 kilometres from Kiev to Halle that are on the tachometer were covered in two steps, with a break on the Polish-Ukraine boarder. The routes in western direction are quite safe, Medvedev said“, but you never know really“. On his way to Germany, he passed through the places of terror Butscha and Irpin, you were not able to see all of the horrors of the war, but it “is a very oppressive feeling, something you just cannot describe.”
Medvedev wants to wind down a little in Halle after the last couple of months, which still seem to be unreal to him, like a bad dream: “I never anticipated what has happened to our country.” A couple of weeks ago, he would “have found it very difficult” to accept the request from tournament director Ralf Weber Medvedev stated: “At that time, I had completely lost my smile, my positivity“. But then he had gained some hope again, found confidence, Medvedev said. ”Also because I was reunited with my family, who had in the meantime fled abroad “.
Medvedev is looking forward to the “Champions Trophy“-match on Sunday, on the Centre Court at the OWL ARENA. There, where he had reached an ATP final for the first and only time on grass as an 18-year-old. “It is unbelievable, what has been developed here“, Medvedev said, “A tournament known all over the world and valued by professional players.” And then his mind goes back to his home country again, to a large tennis centre near the Capital of Kiev. “Just some time ago, there were all sorts of championships taking place there. Now it was completely destroyed in the war. It is so wretched“, Medvedev stated. And then asks the question: “Why all of this?”
From Kiev to Halle
