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'Unsporting': Daniil Medvedev's bizarre confession sparks debate

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Daniil Medvedev (pictured left) made an unusual admission for a player following his victory over Maxime Cressy at the Australian Open. (Images: Getty images/Channel Nine)
Daniil Medvedev (pictured left) made an unusual admission for a player following his victory over Maxime Cressy at the Australian Open. (Images: Getty images/Channel Nine)

No.1 seed Daniil Medvedev presented a frustrated figure during his victory over American Maxime Cressy after admitting he wasn't happy with some of his 'mind games' during the match.

Medvedev defeated Cressy 6-2, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 in a tight battle, which saw the Russian argue with the chair umpire and repeatedly vocal his frustration during the match played in sweltering heat.

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One comment that caught the attention of spectators was at 1-1 in the fourth set when Medvedev hit a forehand return wide.

Medvedev was walking to his return mark when he yelled out: "This is so boring."

The World No.2 was clearly frustrated during the match as he struggled to convert break points in the third and fourth set.

However, following the match, Medvedev spoke to Eurosport and admitted a lot of his comments were designed to get in the head of his opponent.

"During the match I got a little bit crazy, I think with myself," Medvedev said.

"I was trying to talk something in the air to get into his mind a little bit so maybe he starts saying 'what the hell is Medvedev saying' and misses some shots."

Medvedev added: "I'm not happy with what I said today."

Medvedev's frustration was clear for everyone to see, but his candid admission after the game that he was resorting to mind games was rarely heard insight into a player's mentality.

Many fans defended Medvedev and said it was part of the game, while others called it unsporting.

Tennis great Mats Wilander said it was "very unusual" to confess the tactic after a match.

But admitted players have always used such mind games to garner an edge.

"Everybody's trying to get in each other's head and you are trying to keep in within the rules," Wilander said.

Daniil Medvedev blows up at chair umpire

The Russian second seed found the American serve-and-volley exponent a tough nut to crack at Margaret Court Arena and his frustration spilled over after losing the third set.

Apparently refused a request to leave the court to freshen up, Medvedev barked at the French chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein and complained that Cressy was spending too much time between serves.

Medvedev's frustration only grew as eight break points slipped through his fingers in the fourth set before he finally slipped a forehand past the American in the 11th game to take his serve.

Daniil Medvedev (pictured) gestures after a point during his fourth round singles match against Maxime Cressy at the 2022 Australian Open.
Daniil Medvedev (pictured) reacts during his fourth round singles match against Maxime Cressy at the 2022 Australian Open. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images) (Daniel Pockett via Getty Images)

Medvedev wrapped up proceedings with a slew of huge serves before stepping in to thrash a forehand winner on match point.

Last year's finalist, Medvedev next meets Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the semi-finals.

with Reuters

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