Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev is gearing up for a swift gear shift from clay to grass, as he announces his participation in the grass court season’s kickoff event, the Libema Open, in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The news was confirmed by the tournament’s organizers via their social media channels.
The ATP 250 tournament in the Dutch locale is slated to commence just a week following the French Open, forcing participants to rapidly adjust their game from the slow clay courts to the speedy grass ones. But for the 29-year-old Medvedev, this isn’t uncharted territory. The seasoned pro has taken up this challenge five times before, marking his presence at the Dutch event frequently.
In a statement, Medvedev expressed his enthusiasm for returning to ‘s-Hertogenbosch. He acknowledged the tournament as an excellent launchpad for the grass court season and expressed his fondness for the competition. The current world number 8 has good reason to be excited about his return, having a history of strong performances at the Libema Open.
Let’s rewind to the years 2016 to 2018 when Medvedev graced the grass courts of ‘s-Hertogenbosch for three consecutive years. During his initial two appearances, he fought his way into the main draw through qualifiers, only to fall short in the round-of-16 in 2016. The following year, he advanced further to the quarterfinals. However, he was once again ousted in the round-of-16 in 2018.
After a brief hiatus from the tournament, Medvedev made a triumphant return to ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 2022, making his way to the finals. He faced a surprising defeat at the hands of local player Tim van Rijthoven. Fast forward to 2025, the Russian played his fifth tournament, where he endured his third round-of-16 loss.
Despite his mixed track record at the event, it’s clear that Medvedev holds the Libema Open in high regard. He views it as an invaluable training ground for the esteemed Wimbledon tournament. Though he may have faced a few setbacks, his runner-up finish in 2022 serves as a testament to his potential on the grass court.
This year’s Libema Open is scheduled to unfurl from June 9th to 15th. As Medvedev preps for another grass court season, fans and critics alike will be watching to see if the former world No. 1 can utilize this tournament to pave his road to Wimbledon glory.