The Shanghai Masters has turned into the kind of nightmare every tennis player dreads. The heat has been unbearable, and the scorching conditions have already forced withdrawals from defending champion Jannik Sinner, Tomas Machac, Casper Ruud, David Goffin, Hamad Medjedovic, Terence Atmane, and Wu Yibing. And now joining the team is Daniil Medvedev. No, he didn’t withdraw, but he sure looked like he was fighting the heat more than his opponent.

On Monday, the 2019 Shanghai champion faced Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round and fought his way to a 6-3, 7-6 win in just under two hours. Medvedev clinched 17 points more than his opponent, but by the end, he was drenched in sweat and gasping for air, sitting courtside with his eyes closed as he tried to recover from the punishing Shanghai humidity that’s been draining players all week. And after the match, he didn’t hold back while sharing his thoughts on the brutal conditions.

Yesterday, in a clip shared by i on X, Daniil Medvedev was asked how much he was suffering in the intense humidity, reportedly around 85%. That’s when the 29-year-old admitted, “Yeah, it was not easy, but for me, for him too.” Medvedev explained that while he usually struggles in hot conditions, this time it felt like a level playing field. “Here everyone suffers. So it puts me a little bit in the same condition as everyone,” he said with a smile.

He went on to say that despite the weather, he was satisfied with his performance overall. “I could have played better. I was a bit sloppy in the second set,” he admitted, “but I’m happy with the general picture of my game right now and I’m happy to win.” The 29°C temperature combined with 74% humidity made for an exhausting evening, and it was clear even a player as fit as Medvedev had been pushed to his physical limit.

The conversation then shifted to his recent coaching change, with the reporter asking how things were progressing. Medvedev didn’t shy away from addressing it. “We haven’t been together for a long time,” he said. “Whatever happens now, I should not put it only on the coach. It’s more about a general change.” He moreover acknowledged that after years with longtime coach Gilles Cervara, things had stopped clicking, and both agreed it was time for something new.

Wrapping up, Daniil Medvedev explained how the switch to working with Thomas Johansson has brought a fresh perspective. “We needed to change, and it’s just a change of energy,” he said. “I love what Thomas tells me from time to time, some small details, because I know how to play tennis, but I do need those small details here and there.” And for now, that change seems to be paying off, with Medvedev feeling reenergized and confident in his direction.

But while he may seem calm now, in another interview, Daniil Medvedev raised eyebrows with his candid remarks after his hard-fought Shanghai Masters win. So, what exactly did he say?

Daniil Medvedev admits mixed emotions after Shanghai win

Yesterday, one fan took to X to share a photo of Daniil Medvedev and wrote, “[Translated from French] The state in which Daniil Medvedev finishes after two sets played in Shanghai. 😳” And honestly, it was a miracle he made it through. The scorching conditions have already forced several players to withdraw, and while many have spoken out, Medvedev hasn’t stayed silent either.

The former World No. 1 kicked off his Shanghai Masters 1000 campaign in dominant fashion, dropping just two games against World No. 91 Dalibor Svrcina in a commanding opener. The Russian looked dialed in from the very first point, barely giving his opponent any breathing room. Despite the heat that’s been defining this year’s event, Medvedev managed to stay composed and efficient under pressure.

After the match, Medvedev was candid about just how tough the conditions have been. “It had never happened before, and I must admit that it is hard to play in these conditions,” he told Championat. “There have already been numerous withdrawals and many medical time-outs in these first days of the tournament. The situation is quite worrying. I’m happy to have played my first match here in the night session and to have won with ease.”

That said, should tournaments like Shanghai reconsider scheduling or heat policies to protect players? And with the conditions this extreme, are fans seeing the best version of the sport, or its breaking point? What do you think?