We’ve seen this before from Daniil Medvedev.
In 2019, at the U.S. Open he slyly put up his middle finger to the angry crowd in Queens — who didn’t appreciate his antics that included throwing a towel offered to him from a ballperson — and then thanked fans after a win for feeding him with their energy.
This time, at the 2021 Australian Open, he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas — who had upset Rafael Nadal earlier this week — in front of a clearly pro-Tsitsipas crowd. And after he hit a stunner of a passing shot for a winner, they barely flinched. So he stirred them up with this gesture:
Medvedev brilliantly trolling the crowd 😂 pic.twitter.com/CERKcCLmLC
— Tweet Puneet (@TennisPuneet) February 19, 2021
Here’s what he said about it:
"I wanted them to recognise me because the shot was unbelievable, one of the best shots in my career!"@DaniilMedwed on his celebration after an incredible passing shot to break Tsitsipas in the third set 🙌#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/2zKNYyWVQ0
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 19, 2021
Can we go back to that shot for a sec?
Absolutely unreal backhand pass from Medvedev to get the big break.
🎥@Eurosport_RU pic.twitter.com/WGtx5xcoUK
— Matthew Willis (@MattRacquet) February 19, 2021
Man.
He’s on to the finals to face Novak Djokovic.
