Daniil Medvedev is My Friend: A Saga

Hi, all! A few years ago, I moved to Southern California to start my new job as a professor. I was delighted when I discovered that I was less than two hours away from Indian Wells. In 2022, I pulled the trigger and attended the final weekend. It was a wonderful four days where I got to meet many heroes (Rafa and Iga, most notably). Unfortunately, I was overzealous with sunscreen, and the desert sun melted some into my eye, which caused a tremendously painful situation. I was able to manage it long enough to finish the Nadal Kyrgios match, but it was excruciating. In order not to ruin my entire weekend, I decided that I would leave for the evening match, get some healing eye drops at a pharmacy, and recover for the rest of the evening. On the way back to my hotel, I swung into the first CVS I saw. One person was before me in the line, and as I waited for my turn, a large shadow was cast behind me. I felt an imposing presence. Lo and behold, I turned around and the (at the time) World Number 1 tennis player, Daniil Medvedev, was standing right behind me. “Daniil,” I stuttered, “I know this is a weird place to ask, but no one will ever believe me if I don’t get a picture. Would you please take a picture with me?” “Yeah, man, of course,” he graciously replied. I couldn’t believe my luck. Had I left even a minute later from the tournament or chosen a different pharmacy (of which there were several) I never would have met him. I doubt I will ever have a more amazing encounter with a tennis pro.

Fast forward to Indian Wells 2023. I arrive, once again, for the final weekend. As luck would have it, my pharmacy buddy made it to the final four! In anticipation of meeting him again, I printed a copy of the pharmacy picture. Luck was on my side, and as I arrived near the signature area by the practice courts, I saw Daniil walking back from practice. “Daniil, I met you at a pharmacy last year and you were awesome,” I shouted. He smiled, gave a thumbs up, and started walking over. I held out the picture, and he laughed as he signed.

Next year, if he makes it that deep again, I think I’ll make a t-shirt of the same picture.

Bonus Iga Story: I met and received Rafa’s signature within thirty minutes of arriving at the tournament grounds. I thought I was living a dream! Not one hour later, I met Iga at the signature area. As she passed by me, I said “Iga, this is Rafa’s signature, will you please sign right by it?” She stopped, got a big goofy smile, and said “Yeah!!” I’ve never seen her so animated.