WATCH: Daniil Medvedev sorry for ‘funny’ outburst and ‘small cat’ comment as he admits he ‘just lost it’
He found the incident a bit amusing, but Daniil Medvedev admits he she not have lost control of his emotions during his Australian Open semi-final victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The world No 2 booked his place in the final against Rafael Nadal with a 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over the Greek, but it was a heated affair.
Unimpressed with the way his opponent’s father and coach Apostolos Tsitsipas was acting in the stands, Medvedev accused his rival of receiving coaching.
And he had a meltdown in the second set, shouting at chair umpire Jaume Campistol: “His father can talk every point. Are you stupid? I’m talking to you, look at me. How can you be so bad in the semi-final of a Grand Slam?”
"A from Medvedev!"
What is going on with Daniil Medvedev here? #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/N6pURLYWpv
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 28, 2022
Medvedev also later called Campistol a “small cat”.
Although he could see the funny side of the incident, the reigning US Open champion feels he lost control.
“I think we can say it was funny, but I was definitely out of my mind,” he said.
“I was not controlling myself any more about anything, and that’s actually why I’m really happy to win, because many matches like this I would go on just to do mistakes, because you lose your concentration a lot when you get in these heat-of-the-moment things.
“The next game, 15-40, I started terrible. I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I’m just completely losing the fibre of this match’. I’m so happy that I managed to catch it really fast.”
It is not the first time Medvedev has suffered a meltdown and it won’t be the last, but he believes he is improving.
“I regret it all the time because I don’t think it’s nice,” he said. “I know that every referee is trying to do their best.
“But tennis, we don’t fight with the fists, but tennis is a fight. It’s a one-on-one against another player. So I’m actually really respectful to players who almost never show their emotions because it’s tough. I can get really emotional. I have been working on it.
“So many, many matches, I handle it. I think if we look back at myself five years ago when I started playing, there was less attention on me, but I was just insanely crazy. So I do regret it 100 per cent but, in the heat of the moment, I just lost it.”
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat
Carlos Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s clay swing fills out with Rouen wildcard
Naomi Osaka gets Rouen wildcard to kickstart her clay swing.
-
WTA Tour
Danielle Collins balks at being asked to explain retirement
Danielle Collins has responded to those who question why she has decided to retire from tennis at the end of the current season.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic’s problem is psychological’, assesses Roger Federer’s former coach
“Undoubtedly, ‘Nole’ must have fire inside, otherwise he is missing something.”