Who is Térence Atmane? A Beginner’s Guide to Daniil Medvedev’s 2024 Australian Open opponent

Daniil Medvedev’s first match of the 2024 season will come against distinctly unfamiliar opposition as he takes on a 22-year-old French qualifier making his Grand Slam main draw debut.

Térence Atmane is already battled-tested in Melbourne Park, having won three tough matches in qualifying for the privilege of playing the former world No. 1 in what will be the biggest match of his career. Can the lefty known for his sleight of hand make a different kind of magic on Margaret Court Arena?

Get to know the fast-rising Atmane ahead of his Monday match with Medvedev:

The Basics:

• DOB: January 9, 2002
• Birthplace: Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
• Height: 6’4” (1.93 m)
• Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
• Career-high rank: No. 132
• Coach: Robin Boulé

The Bio

While most of the tennis world was in Flushing Meadows competing at the US Open, Atmane, who was inspired to pick up a racquet from playing tennis video games, opted for a flight to China after bowing out of qualifying in the second round. The decision paid off as he captured two of the biggest titles of his career with ATP Challenger victories in Zhangjiagang and Guangzhou.

Nicknamed “The Magician” for his sleight of hand card tricks, Atmane’s 11-1 record over three weeks helped him rocket up nearly 70 spots in the rankings, priming him for his first tour-level breakthrough at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Rolling through qualifying, he stunned Jordan Thompson in the first round for his maiden ATP match win.

This Week

The avid Pokémon card collector and Fortnite gamer picked up where he left off in his first Australian Open qualifying tournament, winning a pair of three-setters before edging past American Emilio Nava in two tiebreakers.

Atmane grew up idolizing former Australian Open finalist Fernando Gonzalez and possesses a powerful game all-court game of his own, unafraid to finish points off at the net.

“I'm going full on everything, I try to take every opportunity that I have, every short ball that I have to destroy the ball," he told the ATP last fall. "I try to serve as fast and as hard as I can. I have a pretty big forehand... It's extremely risky and it's also really intense, physically and mentally.”

Will that strategy be enough to unnerve a fellow video game enthusiast in Medvedev?