Daniil Medvedev shows true colours after snub cost him over £1m
Daniil Medvedev is in action at this week's Almaty Open, an ATP 250 tournament, instead of the Six Kings Slam, where players can earn up to £4.5m
Daniil Medvedev has revealed why he chose not to compete in this year's Six Kings Slam, where stars can pocket up to £4.5m for lifting the trophy. The former world No. 1 took part in last year's inaugural edition, earning £1.1m despite losing his opening match, but is competing at the Almaty Open, an ATP 250 event.
Following a challenging season, the Russian has enjoyed a revival during the Asian swing and is looking to capitalise on that momentum. The Six Kings Slam features the world's top six players battling it out across a three-day exhibition tournament. Britain's Jack Draper withdrew from the event due to injury, cutting his season short, leading to organisers drafting in Stefanos Tsitsipas as his replacement.
Some supporters wondered whether Medvedev might have stepped in for Draper, but the current world No. 14 has showed his true colours, explaining why he didn't travel to Saudi Arabia this time around - and was never expecting to.
"It's actually a bit more complicated. First, as far as I know, it's not $1.5 million (£1.1m) per player - it depends on several factors," the former US Open champion explained.
"Since I've dropped in the rankings, I understood that I probably wouldn't be invited, because they usually take the top six - last year they only made an exception for Rafa [Nadal].
"So I entered the tournament in Kazakhstan, and once I commit to something, I follow through.
"Maybe there were some discussions elsewhere, but generally, if I've agreed to play somewhere, I keep my word.
"That's why I'm here, and I don't regret it. Besides, I need ranking points and real match play, so I'll try to deliver some good tennis."
Medvedev now has an opportunity to capitalise on his encouraging form in China, where he made the quarter-finals in Hangzhou before consecutive semi-final appearances in Beijing and Shanghai.
The Russian currently occupies 15th spot in the race to the ATP Finals, with only the leading eight players securing their place at the year-end showpiece in Turin, leaving him with a slim chance of qualifying for a seventh successive year.
The 29-year-old is into the final after coming from a set down to beat James Duckworth. He has the chance to pick up silverware in Turin and earn £119,000 in prize money, compared to the riches in the Middle East.
He continued: "This stretch after Shanghai is always tough. Even when it's not as hot as this year, conditions there are usually quite warm, and then you move to indoor hard courts - essentially into the European winter, or here, which is also close to winter.
"So the body needs some time to adjust.
"I also know that my chances of qualifying for Turin are very slim, so I decided to play my last three tournaments of the season and give it everything - as long as my body allows.
"The adaptation here has gone well so far. We'll see how it feels in the first match, because that's always the hardest one indoors."