The three-time runner-up has pointed out a major concern just nine days before the tournament kicks off, raising questions ahead of the much-anticipated start. 👀🎾

Three-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev has urged officials to start night matches earlier at the season-opening Grand Slam, following his own experiences in notoriously late finishes.With player welfare increasingly in focus after matches stretching into the early morning hours, Medvedev suggested a 6pm start time for the first of two night sessions on the main courts — hoping to put an end to marathon nights in Melbourne.

Last year, the Russian was stunned by US teenager Learner Tien in a second-round epic that ended at 2:55am, with Medvedev falling in a fifth-set tiebreak after 4 hours and 49 minutes of battle. 😮🔥

And it wasn’t the first time — in 2024, on his way to the final, Medvedev survived a five-set second-round classic against Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori, a match that didn’t wrap up until 3:39am.

After one marathon clash, the Russian even posted a photo of his watch at 4:30am with the caption: “It’s late!” — revealing he didn’t get to bed until 7am. 😵‍💫

“I am OK playing at night, but it is just that the first match starts at 7pm,” Medvedev said ahead of the Brisbane International.“

When you have one match of five sets, and both of them went for five for me, it is a bit too late to start at 7pm. They should be starting at 6pm.”

A fair point from Medvedev — late finishes are becoming part of his story. ⏰🔥