Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev threatened to skip the French Open and Wimbledon and play in tournaments instead in his native Russia after his experience Sunday before the decidedly pro-Rafael Nadal crowd in Melbourne.
Nadal, who came from two sets down to beat Medvedev and capture his record 21st Grand Slam championship, had the spectators squarely behind him, and Medvedev said he felt “disrespected.” He also said he believed his Russian nationality contributed to the fans at Rod Laver Arena instead cheering for the Spaniard.
And the 25-year-old said he isn’t going to put up with it anymore.
“From now on I’m playing for myself, for my family, to provide (for) my family, for people that trust in me, of course for all the Russians because I feel a lot of support there.
“I’m going to say it like this: If there is a tournament on hard courts in Moscow, before Roland Garros or Wimbledon, I’m going to go there even if I miss Wimbledon or Roland Garros or whatever. The kid stopped dreaming. The kid is going to play for himself.”
Medvedev, 25, praised Nadal for coming back to win the five-hour, 24-minute epic match 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 and said he had no regrets about how he played. The reigning U.S. Open champion, Medvedev hinted his Grand Slam boycott probably wouldn’t last.
“Rafa played unreal. Raised his level. … He was really strong,” Medvedev said. “Talking about tennis, I have not much regrets. I’m going to try to continue my best and I’m going to work even harder to try to be champion of some of these great tournaments some day. But again, I’m not really disappointed with the loss or my tennis or anything like this.”
Medvedev complained to the umpire during his semifinal match against Stefanos Tsitispas, contending his opponent was being coached from the stands. When umpire Jaume Campistol didn’t agree and Medvedev responded angrily, he received a violation.
In an ensuing rant, Medvedvev yelled to Campistol, “Oh my God, you are so bad, man. How can you be so bad in the semifinal of a Grand Slam?”
In the third set Sunday, he also complained to umpire John Blom about the way the ball boys and ball girls were doing their job.
–Field Level Media
