'Sad and pathetic': Aus Open fans ripped over Daniil Medvedev boos
World No.2 Daniil Medvedev was greeted by a chorus of boos from fans attending his Australian Open final against Rafael Nadal on Sunday evening.
Some tennis fans were less than impressed by the reception Medvedev received as he walked out onto Rod Laver Arena.
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Nadal was greeted with cheers by the crowd, with Medvedev's love-hate relationship with Australian fans on full display as he looked to earn his second grand slam title.
The reception from fans at the arena made it clear who the crowd would be rooting for throughout the match, with Medvedev getting a minimal amount of applause on winning points early in the match.
His hostile greeting left some fans taking exception on social media.
Medvedev though, has embraced the somewhat combative nature of his relationship with the Australian crowd throughout the tournament.
Heavily booed after defeating Nick Kyrgios in the second round, Medvedev implored the crowd to give host Jim Courier a chance to speak when it came time for him to be interviewed on court, with the popular host being frequently interrupted.
Courier attempted to repay the favour to Medvedev later in the tournament, throwing him some easy questions about Ash Barty's then upcoming singles final to help Medvedev win over a few fans.
The Russian didn't oblige however, and later snuck a cheeky dig at the crowd when he said he asked himself 'what would Novak Djokovic do?' when he was two sets down in his quarter final.
On social media, some fans felt the crowd could have shown a little more grace to Medvedev.
Loud cheers for Nadal, proper boos for Medvedev as they enter RLA.
How do fans, who have the opportunity to be in stadium, hate him?!
He's played great matches at #AusOpen, is last year's runner up & could well be the first man in Open Era to back up his first Slam with another!— Zenia D'cunha (@ZENIADCUNHA) January 30, 2022
It's sometimes been hard to tell the difference between boos and suis at this Australian Open.
That sound you heard when Daniil Medvedev took the court? Those were boos.— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 30, 2022
This crowd doesn't learn. Medvedev LOVES the boos. He feeds on em. #AO2022
— KNB 🏴 (@nizambakeri) January 30, 2022
@AustralianOpen crowd booing @DaniilMedwed when he was introduced only proves his point that Aussie crowds are a bunch of brainwashed, disrespectful thugs. #shame #AusOpen
— Sam Jacobs (@sam_jacobs_sj) January 30, 2022
Booing a player as they walk into the arena is just sad and pathetic. This isn’t the footy. Do better. #AusOpen
— Daniela (@DaniG88) January 30, 2022
Crowd a disgrace booing Medvedev for no reason
— Michael (@Michael18198730) January 30, 2022
Daniil Medvedev on fire early in Australian Open final
Medvedev took the lead in the Australian Open final after a dramatic second set that was interrupted by a court invader and contained four service breaks.
Nadal was trying to serve for the set in the ninth game about 1 1/2 hours into the match and was facing a break point when a protester jumped from the stands into the playing arena at Medvedev’s end.
Security quickly surrounded both players and detained the protester, who was carrying a banner printed with the words: “Abolish Refugee Detention.”
Nadal saved that point to get back to deuce, wasted a set point and then dropped the service game to allow Medvedev back into the set.
The US Open champion clinched it on his first set point, on Nadal's serve, with a backhand passing shot and then waved both arms up for the crowd seeking some support.
However he couldn't complete the victory as Nadal produced one of the all-time comebacks, winning 2-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-4 7-5 in a five-hour epic.
With Associated Press
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