Medvedev "hurt" by "disrespectful" Aussie Open crowd
World number two tennis champion Daniil Medvedev has revealed the Australian Open crowd crushed his spirit, making him reconsider his tennis career.
The Russian was defeated by Rafael Nadal in an epic final at Melbourne Park, in front of a crowd who vocalised their support for Nadal.
Appearing at an emotional press conference after the match, Medvedev told the media he would share an anecdote about his tennis dreams as a child.
"It's going to be a little bit of a new press conference," he began.
He went on to explain his early childhood and dreams for tennis success, and the moments where he doubted if should continue with the sport.
“I’m just talking about few moments where the kid stopped dreaming, and today was one of them. I’m not going to really tell why,” he said, adding that from now on he would only play for himself and his family.
“I’m going to say it like this. If there is a tournament on hard courts in Moscow, before Roland Garros or Wimbledon, I’m going to go there even if I miss the Wimbledon or Roland Garros or whatever. “
"The kid stopped dreaming. The kid is going to play for himself. That’s it. That’s my story.”
A reporter questioned whether Medvedev was taking issue with the crowd's response, which the tennis champ refused to answer.
However, he has previously made it clear that he was not disappointed with how he played during the Open, and answered the reporter's question by blasting the crowd.
“I’m just going to give one small example. Before Rafa serves even in the fifth set, there would be somebody, and I would even be surprised, like one guy screaming, ‘C’mon, Daniil’,” he said.
“A thousand people would be like, ‘Tsss, tsss, tsss’. That sound. Before my serve, I didn’t hear it. It’s disappointing. It’s disrespectful, it’s disappointing. I’m not sure after 30 years I’m going to want to play tennis."
“Again, the kid that was dreaming is not anymore in me after today. It will be tougher to continue tennis when it’s like this.”
When Rafael Nadal was questioned about Medvedev's struggles with the crowd, he spoke fondly of his opponent.
“Of course it’s better to have the crowd on your side,” Nadal said. “Tonight was crazy for me. But I really believe he has a great future in front and he is going to feel this love of the crowd in the future because he deserves it.”
Image credits: Getty Images