Daniil Medvedev's team won this year's Northern Palmyra Trophies, according to Russian media.
In the fourth consecutive edition of the St. Petersburg edition, the Sphinxes team - that consisted of Medvedev, Karen Khachanov, Veronika Kudermetova and Yulia Putintseva - took on the Lions team. The rival team was represented by Alexander Bublik, Tallon Griekspoor, Anastasia Potapova and Diana Shnaider.
The mixed team event featured a non-traditional format as every game won by a player during a match was counted as a point. In the end, the Sphinxes beat the Lions with a 105-101 scoreline.
Medvedev defended his Northern Palmyra Trophies participation
After it was revealed that Medvedev would compete at the St. Petersburg exhibition, the former world No. 1 received certain criticism by the tennis community for his decision to take part in a tournament staged on Russian soil. However, when addressing it upon his arrival in St. Petersburg, the 29-year-old made it perfectly clear that he had no regrets about his decision.
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There are many reasons. I haven't been to St. Petersburg in a long time, since 2020. I'm glad to be back - it's one of the most beautiful cities, if not the most beautiful. I'll try to play my best, despite the tournament's status. I prepared for it as if it were a Grand Slam, especially for the singles matches against Griekspoor and Bublik, as I lost to them this year. Yes, we'll play unofficially, but I'll try to beat them. I hope to play good tennis and for the crowd to enjoy it," the 2021 US Open champion explained before the start of the exhibition.
Griekspoor, who was urged by the Dutch Prime Minister to withdraw from the event, also said that he was happy to take part in the St. Petersburg exhibition.
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The remaining Northern Palmyra Trophies participants pretty much stated the same thing as Medvedev and Griekspoor.
