'Roger Federer did the right thing, I can't criticize him,' states Daniil Medvedev

• Tennis News
• Roger Federer

Heading to Paris with no Roland Garros victories under his belt, world no. 2 Daniil Medvedev has found his A-game at a clay Major last week, scoring four victories to advance into the quarters. In the other half of the draw, Roger Federer delivered three triumphs for the first time since the last year's Australian Open, becoming the oldest player in the last 16 at Roland Garros in the Open era.

After an epic 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 victory over Dominik Koepfer in the third round, Roger decided to withdraw from Roland Garros ahead of the Matteo Berrettini clash, not willing to risk anything ahead of his beloved grass swing in Halle and Wimbledon.

Daniil Medvedev backs Roger Federer's decision to skip Roland Garros.

The Swiss veteran hadn't played for 13 months due to a knee injury and two surgeries in February and May 2020, stepping on the court only three times in the past 15 months ahead of Paris!

However, after achieving everything in our sport in the past two decades, Federer is still eager to prove his class and compete on a high level two months before turning 40, showing his endless love for the game and giving his fans something to cheer about.

However, many were not happy about Roger's decision to leave Paris before facing Berrettini, accusing him of disrespecting a Major event. Daniil Medvedev is not in that group, reminding that Wimbledon is Roger's top priority, especially after a long break from tennis.

Also, the Russian stated that Koepfer doesn't deserve to play the next match, as he lost to Roger fair and square. "We all know that a Major is still Roger's primary goal. I think he always thinks about winning Wimbledon, even when he will be 50.

He will have a chance this year, and he wants to do his best to prepare. If Koepfer wants to be in the next round, sorry, he needed to beat Roger. It doesn't matter if he retires after. That's how tennis is; to be in the next round, you need to beat your opponent.

So I don't see why Roger should be criticized. At the same time, I understand people who do it. Me, I won't criticize him," Daniil Medvedev said.