At 29, Daniil Medvedev has achieved more than most tennis professionals dream of: 20 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including the 2021 US Open and 2020 ATP Finals, and a career-high world No. 1 ranking. Our Editor-in-Chief, Julia Pasarón, speaks to the Russian champion and Bovet ambassador about his passion for tennis, family life, and luxury watches.
THE MAND BEHIND THE RACKET
In person, Medvedev is charming, engaging, and quick to laugh – far removed from the calculating strategist or the sometimes fiery competitor we’ve seen on court. “Maybe that’s where the ‘unruly’ side of my game comes from,” he jokes.
A self-proclaimed family man, Medvedev credits his wife, Daria Chernyshkova, whom he married in 2018, as the catalyst behind his meteoric rise. “She played tennis when she was younger, so she knows what it takes. She encouraged me to focus more on the sport and less on things that don’t matter. If you don’t fully focus on tennis, you lose.”
Her support paid off. In 2020, Medvedev became the only player ever to defeat the world’s top three-ranked players in the same ATP Finals tournament. In 2021, he famously beat Novak Djokovic in the US Open final, denying the Serbian great a calendar Grand Slam. In 2022, after another Australian Open final appearance, he became the first man outside the ‘Big Four’ to claim the world No. 1 ranking since Andy Roddick in 2004.
Daniil Medvedev lifting the trophy of the ATP Tour Masters in London in 2020. © ATP Tour.
The arrival of his daughters, Alisa in 2022 and Victoria earlier this year, brought new joy – and challenges. “When you have kids, you can’t practise from morning till night. You want to spend time with your family,” he reflects. “But these are the best moments. There’s less time, but it’s more precious.”
Balancing fatherhood with life on tour feels familiar to Medvedev. Growing up in Moscow, he juggled school and tennis from the age of six. “Sometimes I’d do homework in the car while my dad drove me to practice. It was tough but prepared me for the constant travel now.” The social skills he picked up on the move still serve him well, and he remains close to friends from those early years.
Any regrets about missing out on teenage parties? None. “When you’re 18 or 19 on the circuit, you go out when you can – just not the night before a match!” he laughs. “So no, I didn’t miss anything. No regrets.”
His career took a pivotal turn when his family relocated to the south of France to advance his training. “It was hard to leave friends behind, but the right decision for my tennis.”
On court, Medvedev’s intensity sometimes spills over, famously resulting in occasional outbursts. “I always go out to win. When things don’t go well, frustration builds… but I’ve been working on staying calmer,” he admits with a shrug. His charisma, however, wins crowds over, and he enjoys connecting with fans: “It’s fun to interact—it relaxes me and the public.”
A PARTNERSHIP FORGED IN EXCELLENCE
Daniil Medvedev is wearing a Bovet x Pininfarina Aperto 1 Blue, a fully skeletonised titanium piece, only 63gr in weight, with a seven-day power reserve.
His hunger for excellence drew the attention of Bovet owner Pascal Raffy when Medvedev was just 23. Their instant rapport sparked a long-term partnership between the champion and the historic Swiss watchmaker. “We felt a family connection,” Daniil recalls. “Being a Bovet ambassador makes me proud. There’s always risk in these things – you never know what will happen – but this turned out great.”
Six years on, the relationship is stronger than ever, with Medvedev sporting some of Bovet’s most exceptional creations. His favourite? The Ottantasei Tourbillon, crafted with design legend Pininfarina. “It was my first Bovet—it feels like my lucky charm,” he smiles. “It’s so light, so transparent. You can see everything thanks to the sapphire crystal.”
Like most pros, he doesn’t wear a watch on court. “Every detail matters in tennis. I never trained wearing one, so it’d be strange to start now, and Bovet pieces are too precious to risk damaging during play.” Off court, though, it’s a different story. “I love knowing no one else at dinner has the same watch. That’s special.”
Other favourites include the Récital 26 Chapter Two Tourbillon and the Récital 12. “The craftsmanship is incredible. I tried screwing some parts together at the Château de Môtiers—impossible! Everything’s tiny.” Today, he’s wearing the Bovet Aperto 1: skeletonised, ultra-lightweight, and beautifully architectural.
From the left, the Bovet Récital 12 in titanium features the collection’s off-centre dial, housed in a 40mm case with an integrated bracelet. The Bovet x Pininfarina Aperto 1, in yellow, showcases its intricate mechanics through an open-worked dial.
Would he ever design a watch himself? He grins. “Maybe in the future – but not yet.”
For now, Medvedev remains laser-focused on his tennis and family. Currently ranked No. 10 in the world, he’s determined to climb back to the top. “I want to play until my body says, ‘no more.’ I love to win.”
A more detailed interview with Daniil Medvedev is available in the summer issue of I-M Inquisitive Minds. Secure your copy, HERE.
Another Bovet watch that you shouldn’t miss is the new Récital 30, the only mechanical watch to date that automatically adjusts for all known time zones, including the quirks of daylight saving time worldwide.
Follow Daniil: @DaniilMedwed
Show Comments +