Daniil Medvedev talks hectic baptism, godfather Andrey Rublev, and previews Bayern clash

WATCH: Medvedev met the press before kicking off his 2023 Roland Garros campaign.

PARIS—They say one should celebrate life, and life has been a non-stop celebration for Daniil Medvedev in the wake of his triumphant spring campaign and first clay-court title.

“In a way, this happiness is a celebration,” he said of the afterglow that accompanied his Internazionali BNL d’Italia victory, “and of course I'm going to try to bring this confidence here.”

Giggling throughout his 2023 Roland Garros Media Day press conference at the very mention of his success on what has been his most reviled surface, the former world No. 1 has every reason to celebrate after not only carrying his superb hard-court streak to Europe, but also baptizing his first-born daughter Alisa—where good friend Andrey Rublev served as godfather.

“You know, it's very funny, because in tennis you don't have many opportunities to gather for something important like a birth, baptism, together with your tennis friends,” mused Medvedev, “because someone is going to be in Australia, someone is going to be back in Europe practicing for the next tournament. That was a perfect moment because it was before the tournament [in Monte Carlo], it was couple of days before, so everyone could come.

“Everyone was stressed for different reasons,” he added, poking light fun at Rublev’s more casual attire. “Someone didn't dress well. Someone forgot the flowers or something. It was a lot of fun. He did great. Let's say it this way. He was very stressed. He did great. Let's not care about the dress code.”

Medvedev considers himself suited up for Roland Garros, though he was quick to caution that many threats loom in a wide-open men’s draw now that 14-time champion Rafael Nadal announced he won’t compete.

“The tournament is for sure gonna feel different, you know,” he said, citing a mix of favorites and dark horses from Rome runner-up Holger Rune to No. 32-seeded Spaniard Bernabé Zapata Miralles.

“Before, every two days you could watch Rafa play on TV because they would show him, for sure. He would play on center court. This year it's not gonna be the same. Without him might be a new winner, who knows? With him it was a little—or a lot—less chances for this. So it's definitely different.”

Aside from his own matches, Medvedev, who will open against Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild, has an eye on a Bundesliga football league and teams like his beloved FC Munich Bayern.

“I think I'm going to have time at least to watch like the second halftime,” he said of their Saturday match against FC Köln. “But it's more about Borussia now than Bayern. Yeah, they had a tough time, but I like to watch it anyway. Even if they don't win, for sure I'm gonna be disappointed.”

Football proved a helpful diversion for the No. 2 seed as he battled through a rainy week in Rome, particularly in the semifinals against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

“It's something that makes my mind relax before matches, like I watched their match against Leipzig just before playing Stefanos because it was rain, rain, rain.”

Medvedev is expecting more of the same from the clay in Paris, a departure from his typical assessment that Roland Garros boasts quicker conditions.

“But in Rome was not that fast,” he added with a smile, “and I liked it, so I'm looking forward to Roland Garros.”

With clear skies in Paris, can Medvedev bring the party through two more weeks on the terre battue?