"I need minimum 3 hours" - Daniil Medvedev gets sarcastic after marathon 5-setter to start Australian Open 2025

Daniil Medvedev opened up about playing yet another five-set thriller at the Rod Laver Arena to kick off his 2025 Australian Open. The Russian faced Kasidit Samrej in a marathon match and impressively turned around a 1-2 deficit to get his first win of the season.

Medvedev has been one of the best players at the Australian in the past few years having three finals under his belt. However, he is yet to clinch the Major despite coming close on two occasions. Interestingly, the 28-year-old played five five-setters en route to the final last year, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final.

Daniil Medvedev has kept up with his trend and kicked off his 2025 Australian Open with another marathon match. In what many assumed would be a routine win for the Russian, Medvedev dug deep to defeat Samrej 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in three hours and eight minutes. The fifth seed was questioned about his kicking things off with another five-setter to which he sarcastically responded,

“I know I play better when I play more tennis. So I was like Why play 1 hour and 30 minutes? I need minimum 3 hours at least.”

During the traditional camera signing at the end, Medvedev hilariously signed the camera by writing,

"5 sets ❤."

The Russian will continue his run against an impressive young qualifier who survived a five-setter in the opening round.

---

Daniil Medvedev will take on Learner Tien in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open

Daniil Medvedev - Source: Getty

Daniil Medvedev will take on qualifier Learner Tien in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open, in what will be the first meeting between the two men.

Tien was seeded 16th at the qualifier and kicked off his campaign with a 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 win against Gregoire Barrere following which he comfortably ousted Juan Pablo Ficovich 6-4, 6-2. He scored another big 6-3, 6-4 win against Jozef Kovalik to clinch a spot in the main draw of the Happy Slam.

The 19-year-old's Australian Open main draw debut came against Camilo Ugo Carabelli. The American won the topsy-turvy thriller 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to gain his first Grand Slam match win.

Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien are in fourth seed Taylor Fritz's quarter of the draw. The quarter features stars such as ninth seed Andrey Rublev, 17th seed Frances Tiafoe, Stan Wawrinka, 21st seed Ben Shelton, Gael Monfils, and other superstars.