‘They probably have a low IQ!’ – Daniil Medvedev hits back at ‘disappointing’ Australian Open crowd
Daniil Medvedev was not happy with the crowd on Rod Laver Arena during his battle with home favourite Nick Kyrgios, but made sure to keep his cool and secure the win.
During play, fans interrupted at inappropriate moments, particularly between Medvedev’s first and second serves.
But the US Open champion showed his Slam winning calibre to oust Kyrgios in four sets and advance to the third round.
After leaving the court and speaking with Eurosport, Medvedev was asked if he was angry about the crowd.
“It’s not anger it’s just a little disappointing,” he explained.
“I guess it’s normal though, everyone experiences it, especially when [playing] a home favourite, and not just a home favourite but [Kyrgios].
“I had a break point on my second serve when people are cheering like ‘you already made a double fault.’
“That’s just disappointing because, it’s not everybody who is doing it, but those who are doing it probably have a low IQ.”
Medvedev has been known to boil over at times, over the years and occasionally still does, with perhaps his most famous outburst last season coming when he kicked a TV camera in frustration after colliding with the equipment.
But the Russian is definitely trending towards a more composed demeanour, as evidenced by his maiden Major triumph in New York in September.
“Five years ago I’d probably break two rackets, just get angry, start shouting at my box for nothing, probably would not help me win the match,” Medvedev continued on the match with Kyrgios.
“I could win some [matches] like this but you cannot win grand Slams like this.
“I can still have some tantrums, we all know it. But I’ve been working on myself pretty hard, trying to mature as a tennis player and as a person.”
Medvedev was not only disappointed in the crowd for disrespecting him, but also for disrespecting fellow Slam champion and two-time Australian Open winner Jim Courier during the post-match interview.
Medvedev, the highest ranked player in the men’s draw, will next take on Botic van de Zandschulp in a rematch of their US Open quarter-final, the Dutchman being the only man to take a set off the Russian en route to the title there.
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