Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev is ‘all for peace’ after Vladimir Putin launches Ukraine invasion

Tennis world number one Daniil Medvedev says he wants to ‘promote peace’ all around the world after his home nation Russia launched an invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

Russia has spent months amassing soldiers along the Ukrainian border and president Vladimir Putin instigated a full scale violent assault on multiple cities in the early hours of Thursday morning which has drawn furious condemnation from the international community.

Some Russian people have reacted with protests in cities including Moscow and St. Petersburg, and various national celebrities have condemned the violence. Now US Open champion Medvedev says he is in favour of peace rather than war.

‘By being a tennis player I want to promote peace all over the world,’ the 26-year-old said after defeating Japan’s Kei Nishikori at the Mexican Open. ‘We play in so many different countries. I’ve been in so many different countries as a junior and as a pro. It’s just not easy to hear all this news. I’m all for peace.’

Last week world number seven and fellow Russia Andrey Rublev partnered with Ukrainian player Denys Molchanov to win the Open 13 Provence at Marseille, and Medvedev says that spirit of collaboration between the nations is the right way forward.

‘This was amazing because I think people need to stay together and that’s the most important,’ Medvedev said, referring to the partnership between the two players.

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‘In this moment, you understand that tennis sometimes is not that important. It was definitely not easy to play