“Oh, well you know what, with all due respect, son, he’s not the first one that would do that": Connors about Medvedev' middle finger debate
ATP
Jimmy
Connors defended Daniil Medvedev following his actions at the Paris Masters and
his interactions with the crowd.
The Russian
tennis player competed in his final tournament in the 2023 Paris Masters and
was defeated in the first round by Grigor Dimitrov (3-6, 7-6, 6-7). Medvedev's
early exit from the tournament was marred by a negative reception from the
French audience, and he left the court amid boos, even raising his middle
finger to the crowd.
Former
world No. 1 Jimmy Connors commented on Medvedev's situation and supported the
Russian for reacting to the hostility from the French crowd:
“Oh, well
you know what, with all due respect, son, he’s not the first one that would do
that. You know sometimes you gotta, you know it just pops up, things like that
happen but you know..and you’re right. He has that kind of personality and he
doesn’t mind mixing it up with the crowd and getting the crowd into it,” Jimmy Connors
said.
“And you
know listen, you’re not gonna go out there and have everybody for you but then
again you’re not gonna go out there and have everybody against you either. So,
you know you can always figure out something to play for. Either for those that
are for you or to kind of piss off those rooting against you when you’re trying
to come out on top. That doesn’t happen all the time but you know it’s kind of
a good inspiration along the way,” former world No. 1 added.
“But hey,
you know some things happen and it would be interesting to see you know the
outcome of that if that was the case, you know what happens to him. Because you
know back in the old days we used to get fined a little bit for that,” 8-times
Grand Slam champion concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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