Daniil Medvedev vows to change his ways after being painted as villain in Netflix series

Daniil Medvedev’s on-court antics are almost legendary at this time of year in Melbourne, but after a long off-season break the Russian has vowed to show a new side at the Australian Open.

Long-time tennis villain Daniil Medvedev has vowed to show a “new” and more “mature” version of himself on the court this year after taking an extended off-season break which provided some time for reflection.

Having being left “mentally tired” at the end of last year, the two-time Australian Open finalist has returned to Melbourne Park feeling refreshed and sporting a new attitude after a two-month break which included some island time in the Maldives.

Medvedev has been no stranger to on-court controversy over his career and features prominently in a newly-released episode of Netflix series Break Point.

In the show, rival Alexander Zverev referenced “dirty games” that Medvedev would play, with the episode focusing on an on-court spat between the pair at the Monte Carlo Masters last year.

Medvedev has been one of tennis’ most brash personalities. (Photo by kena betancur / AFP)

Medvedev, 27, said while he had not – and “probably” would not – watch the episode which paints him as a villain, he accepted that some of his antics on the court needed to change.

“During vacation this year, I had a lot of thoughts,” the Russian said.

“I felt like I need to change something.

“I’m thinking much more about my tennis, about which person I want to be, about how I’m going to feel physically.

“The more you focus on external things and about other people, what other people think of you, what you think of other people, the less you focus on yourself. I think that’s when you can get tired, you can get frustrated about things.

“I don’t have much to say (about the episode). That’s how Netflix is, and that’s why we see it, because it exaggerates things, it’s usually hot and cold. There is no neutral. People around me, people in the locker room, they know how I am.”

The Russian is hoping to shake the villain tag. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

Regularly heckled by Australian Open crowds in the past, Medvedev said his test to keep his cool and act in a more mature fashion would come over the next fortnight.

“I want to change. I want to mature. I feel like I’ve done a big step these last months,” he said.

“Hopefully people can see it on the court because that’s the toughest challenge – tournaments. When you’re on court, that’s where the adrenaline is (at) its highest. That’s where it’s tougher to control your emotions.

“I just want to kind of go with who I am, try to do less of (the) stupid things that don’t help me as a person and tennis player. Hopefully I can achieve it this season, and we’re going to see a new Daniil Medvedev.

“It’s too early to say. We’ll have to see at the end of the season.”

Medvedev says he is trying to mature. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

The world No. 3 – who won 66 matches last year and a record five titles on the ATP Tour – enters the Australian Open having not played a competitive match since the Nitto ATP Finals in Italy in mid-November.

Medvedev chose not to take part in warm-up tournaments in Brisbane and Adelaide in favour of extending his break into the New Year, but said he hoped he was not playing with fire coming in underdone.

“I think everything feels like a risk, especially when you try it for the first time,” Medvedev said.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played an Australian Open … without a warm-up tournament. Usually the first match can be little bit not easy sometimes in the season.

“Last year, after (the) US Open, I felt that mentally and physically I was not what I wanted to be. I decided it’s going to be good thing to try like this.”

Originally published as Daniil Medvedev vows to change his ways after being painted as villain in Netflix series