After a groundbreaking 2019, in which he reached six straight tour finals, including his first major at the U.S. Open, Medvedev, 24, seemed to stall this year. But then he won the Paris Masters, beating Zverev in three sets and ascending to No. 4 in the world.

Zverev reached the semifinals at the Australian Open, the final of the U.S. Open and is trying to repeat his 2018 win at the finals.

“London is a very special place for me, especially the O2 arena, because I won the biggest title of my career so far there,” Zverev said. “The atmosphere, with 20,000 people, is what you look forward to. This year will be different, but it is the new normality for us, and we need to adjust to it.”

With Rublev qualifying alongside Medvedev, there are two Russians in the tournament for the first time since Marat Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov made the field in 2000.

Schwartzman, the final qualifier, grew up watching the championships on television from his home in Buenos Aires. When he earned his spot during the Paris Masters, he credited hard work during the lockdown for his success.

“This year has been totally crazy,” said Schwartzman, who notched his first career win over a top five player when he upset Nadal en route to the final in Rome, then lost to him in the semifinals at the French Open. “It hasn’t been easy for anybody, sad for the whole world. I’m just doing my best to bring joy to the people through my tennis.”

Source: New York Times

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