Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Shanghai Masters – Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China – October 14, 2026 Russia’s Daniil Medvedev celebrates winning his round of 16 match against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Tyrone Siu Daniil Medvedev has spent much of his career playing at the highest levels of professional tennis. Along with an international schedule that requires extensive travel, intense preparation and time away from home. But fatherhood has made the former world No. 1 think differently about how he balances his professional and family demands. He has already said he wants to make room for his daughter and still compete on the ATP Tour.Medvedev and his wife, Daria, have two daughters, Alisa and Victoria. His family life has also given a more personal dimension to his friendship with fellow Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev, who is Alisa’s godfather. Together, these relationships offer an insight into the support system behind Medvedev’s career and the responsibilities he cares about off the court.
How Daniil Medvedev balances family life and tennis
Medvedev says fatherhood has added a different set of responsibilities on top of the demands of professional tennis. Ahead of the 2024 Miami Open, he said becoming a parent had encouraged him to be more mature and responsible. He admitted that it was not always easy to combine tournament preparation with time for his daughter.The challenge is especially apparent during tournaments, where practice sessions, matches, recovery and media commitments can fill much of a player’s day. Medvedev has said that he sometimes needs to change his training schedule to make time for his daughter. He was able to concentrate almost completely on tennis before he became a father, but now he realises that time with family is an important part of a complete life.He has also spoken about the sacrifices Daria made to allow the family to spend time together while he competes. Taking a young child abroad involves a lot of planning, patience and energy, especially if one parent has to take the trip alone. Medvedev has talked about Daria taking on much of that, noting how she maintains their family connection throughout the tennis season.His comments are more reflective of a broader adjustment, not a departure from competitive aspiration. Medvedev is still committed to his work, but now the things that matter to him are being there for his children and sharing everyday moments with them. It can be hard to balance a busy tennis schedule, but his own words indicate that he considers family involvement a necessary part of life, not a distraction from professional success.
Daniil Medvedev’s wife Daria and their two daughters
Daria Medvedeva has been part of Daniil’s life since their younger years in Moscow. As a former junior tennis player, she is familiar with the pressures of competition in sport. The couple married on September 12, 2018, and have since started a family while managing the demands of Medvedev’s career. They share a common understanding of tennis, which has helped them to cope with the practicalities of touring.Their oldest daughter, Alisa, was born Oct. 14, 2022. She has been seen at some tennis events with her parents, giving fans occasional glimpses of Medvedev outside of his competitive persona. He also said he sees parts of himself in his daughter, noting her independent streak. They are glimpses into a more personal side of a player known for his on-court intensity.In January 2025, the family welcomed their second daughter, Victoria. Just before the Australian Open, Medvedev announced the news, posting a photo with his newborn and Alisa. His arrival meant he began the Melbourne tournament as a father of two, adding another dimension to his life at an already demanding time of the tennis calendar.Medvedev has also said he has no plans to push his daughters to pursue tennis as a career. In a 2024 interview, he said parents should see what their children like and where their interests are before pushing them in one specific direction. He knew that while Alisa had expressed an interest in playing with a small racket and ball, she was still too young to make decisions about her future.That approach reflects a difference between sharing a sport with his children and expecting them to follow in his footsteps. Tennis is a big part of the family environment, but Medvedev has stressed the importance of letting his daughters develop their own tastes. As Alisa and Victoria grow up, their interests may change, and their parents can support them without making professional sport an obligation.
Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev’s friendship beyond tennis
Medvedev and fellow Russian Andrey Rublev have a relationship that goes beyond the professional circuit. The duo go head-to-head fiercely, but have also forged a close friendship through years of travelling, tournaments and experiences on the ATP Tour.Rublev is especially important in the Medvedev family, as the godfather of Alisa. The appointment reflects the trust between the two players whose professional rivalry exists alongside a personal bond. Rublev has joked about the responsibilities that come with being a godfather, while Medvedev has said their friendship has been meaningful in a sport where players spend so much time travelling and competing away from home.Their friendship also gives an example of how tennis rivals can maintain close relationships despite the competitive demands of the tour. Medvedev has said that friendship is not a factor when they meet on the court. He is a competitor who is all about winning when they are in competition, but once the match is over, they are back to their normal relationship.Rublev’s link to Alisa adds another layer to that bond. His status as godfather extends their friendship into their family lives, and his presence offers Medvedev a trusted relationship in the demanding professional environment. The link is especially important on a tour where the long hours away from familiar surroundings and the constant travel mean close friendships can be crucial.For Medvedev, family and friendship have become central to a life that once was almost entirely about tennis. His wife’s efforts to keep the family united during tournaments, the birth of two daughters and Rublev’s role as Alisa’s godfather are all signs of his personal world expanding with his career. Fatherhood hasn’t dimmed the pressures of elite competition, but it has caused Medvedev to seek out space for responsibilities and relationships off the court.