In the city of Monaco, a significant chapter unfolded in the lives of two close friends and tennis rivals, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev. In a place of religious significance—a church—rather than on a tennis court, bonds were forged. The occasion was the baptism of Daniil Medvedev’s daughter, Alisa.
It marked a special day in the lives of the Medvedev family as they initiated their child into the world of faith. What made this day special was the presence of Andrey Rublev, a dear friend of Daniil’s and now the chosen godfather of little Alisa. To mark this special day, Medvedev rightly captioned his post on Instagram, “A day to remember.”
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It was their deep bonding that had brought them to this sacred moment, amidst the serene backdrop of Monte Carlo, the chosen second home of Medvedev’s family. As Daniil Medvedev and his wife Daria embraced parenthood, the next step was to ensure Alisa’s spiritual upbringing. It was then, that Andrey Rublev stepped in as the ‘godfather,’ a role of profound responsibility and faith.
Andrey Rublev says Daniil Medvedev is like family:
“It’s something like a family. I’m the godfather of his daughter. We built our relationship bc of tennis. Now it’s bigger than tennis. We knew each other since we were 6.. When you spend time with him you always have fun” 🥹 pic.twitter.com/NgHGGk9LsX
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 5, 2023
Rublev did not lose sight of the gravity of this role. He humorously remarked that the priest’s speech made him wonder if he had more responsibilities than Daniil in ensuring Alisa’s spiritual journey. He exclaimed to the priest, “What should Danya do then since I have to follow this?”
With this sacred duty, Rublev undertook the task of nurturing Alisa’s belief in God, ensuring she wore her cross with pride, and guiding her to become a good and kind person. In the picturesque setting of Monaco, Medvedev and Rublev’s friendship grew even stronger as their families forged a close connection, thanks to little Alisa!
Andrey Rublev was not ready to be Medvedev’s daughter’s Godfather
Andrey Rublev generously shared his delightful journey into the role of godfather for Daniil Medvedev’s daughter, Alisa. This heartwarming revelation underlines the profound camaraderie that has blossomed between these two Russian players since their early days and has grown much more than their shared love for tennis.
In a post-match interview, Rublev humorously confessed that he had initially accepted the role without truly grasping its profound significance as it was not disclosed to him. With a mischievous smile, he remarked, “They lied to me! They didn’t tell me right away that it was such a responsibility, saying how much of an honor & pleasure it is to be her godfather.” (via Mondo Bosna).
🏆 ANDREY’S DAY 🏆@AndreyRublev97 is the 2023 #RolexMonteCarloMasters champion! pic.twitter.com/PFLva2CmwO
— Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (@ROLEXMCMASTERS) April 16, 2023
The announcement came just ahead of the prestigious Monte Carlo event, allowing Rublev ample time to contemplate the unique and cherished role entrusted to him as “the best man.” This reflection highlights Rublev’s genuine affection for his dear friend’s family and the strengthening of their bond. Alisa was truly his lucky charm, as Rublev won his first ATP Masters event at Monte Carlo during that time.
As he embraces the role of godfather with open arms, it becomes evident that this new role and responsibility have added even greater depth to their everlasting friendship, making it a truly meaningful and cherished connection between these two tennis stars.