Did Daniil Medvedev really show the middle finger? What really happened at Paris Masters 2023?
Here’s everything you need to know about the ‘middle-finger’ controversy surrounding Daniil Medvedev at the Paris Masters
Daniil Medvedev was seen raising his hand in a rude gesture toward the audience as he left the court following a heated loss at the Paris Masters. The spectators in Paris, who had previously faced criticism for their booing during the French Open earlier in the year, directed their dissatisfaction towards the Russian world No. 3. At one juncture, Medvedev even declined to continue playing against Grigor Dimitrov. In a dramatic turn of events, he managed to fend off seven match points but ultimately succumbed to a 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 defeat against the Bulgarian opponent.
At 5-5 in the second set, Medvedev halted play as he engaged in a dispute with the umpire, Renaud Lichtenstein, who had issued him a time warning. In a somewhat playful manner, Medvedev, who had famously given a middle finger to the New York crowd in the past, quipped about potentially repeating the gesture. He explained, “I just checked my nails, like this, it’s nothing more than that. Why would I do that to this beautiful crowd?” He went on to discuss the brief interruption in the match, which stemmed from his frustration and racket-throwing: “I get booed. I didn’t see why, so I didn’t want to play. Then I was, like, okay. ‘until they (stop), I’m not going to play.’ But the Bercy crowd didn’t cease their boos. When I received a code violation, I considered whether I truly wanted to risk disqualification and end the match on that note. Ultimately, I decided to continue playing.”
Several players expressed their dissatisfaction with the crowd’s behavior at Roland Garros in May, and it appears that this pattern has continued at the tournament in Bercy. What’s unusual is that Medvedev, who has been a long-time resident in France and speaks the language fluently, would typically be well-received. Medvedev commented on this by saying, “It kind of doesn’t really have to do anything with France or not France. I think it just depends on the tournament, the way I act, the way the crowd acts. In general, I have a lot of French friends, and they don’t seem to like this tournament very much. Maybe there’s a reason for it.”
Medvedev further elaborated on the challenges posed by the crowd in Paris, stating, “Not everyone enjoys playing in Paris for this reason. I actually played better in Bercy when there was no crowd in attendance due to the pandemic. There are tournaments I look forward to returning to, but here, I have difficulties with the crowd. It happens. Maybe in two years, we won’t play here.” When asked if the crowd in Bercy was the most challenging in tennis, he responded, “I don’t want toit as the worst. We have 60 players, and among them, 30 may enjoy it, while 10 players might find it less appealing.”
Daniil Medvedev is known for his remarkable skills on the court, but he has also gained a reputation for his occasional anger and temper issues. While he has displayed great composure and sportsmanship in many matches, there have been instances where his emotions have gotten the better of him.
One of the most notable incidents involving Medvedev’s temper was during the 2021 Australian Open. In a match against Stefanos Tsitsipas, he received a code violation for hitting a ball into the crowd in frustration. This outburst not only cost him a point but also garnered negative attention from both fans and the media. Such incidents have raised questions about his ability to maintain his composure during high-stakes matches.
Medvedev’s anger and temper issues can be attributed to his intense competitiveness and desire to win. He often sets high expectations for himself and can become visibly frustrated when things don’t go his way. This frustration can manifest as racket smashes, heated exchanges with umpires, or even confrontations with his opponents. It’s important to note that he has acknowledged these issues and expressed a desire to work on his emotional control.
Despite his occasional outbursts, Medvedev’s tennis career has continued to thrive. He has achieved considerable success, including reaching the finals of multiple Grand Slam tournaments. Many fans and analysts hope that as he gains more experience and maturity, he will be able to better manage his emotions on the court and avoid the kind of incidents that have marred his reputation in the past.
More Tennis news
Follow our dedicated Tennis page for instant Tennis news and updates