Center of attention: Medvedev gets his wish to play on Rod Laver Arena

U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev has been granted his wish with an Australian Open quarterfinal against young Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime on Rod Laver Arena, the main show court at Melbourne Park.

No. 2 Medvedev vs. No. 9 Auger-Aliassime will be the marquee night match on Wednesday.

Medvedev wasn’t happy that he had to play successive rounds on the adjoining and lower-profile Margaret Court Arena, particularly the fourth round against serve-and-volley specialist Maxime Cressy.

“What should I do to play on center courts in Grand Slams, because I won the last Grand Slam? I mean, I’m highest seed here and to play against Maxime would be easier on Rod Laver, more space," he said. "Same in Wimbledon, I haven’t even played on Centre because I don’t count the fifth set which I played after the rain after being put on Court 2.”

Medvedev is the highest seed after defending champion Novak Djokovic was deported for failing to meet Australia's strict COVID-19 vaccination requirements. He said he resisted the temptation to request matches on Rod Laver.

“Yeah, I usually don’t do it, because I don’t want to put pressure or anything on anybody," he said. "I rarely ask for the time or the court.

“I don’t really want to be the guy who asks every time, ‘Put me on Rod Laver or I’m gonna be unhappy.’”