(VIDEO) Daniil Medvedev accused of giving Paris Masters crowd a middle finger: "No, I was looking at my nail"
ATPThursday, 02 November 2023 at 12:03
Daniil
Medvedev had a hostile reception from the crowd at the Paris Masters and was
defeated by Grigor Dimitrov.
World No. 3
had a tough day at the final Masters 1000 of the year and fell in the second
round for the second consecutive year. This time, it was Bulgarian Grigor
Dimitrov who won a battle of almost three hours with a score of 6-3, 6-7(4),
7-6(2).
Not only in
terms of tennis, but Medvedev also faced issues with the local crowd, who booed
him repeatedly. This led to the Russian arguing with the umpire, and at one
point, he was determined not to continue playing.
“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,” Medvedev said.
“But the
Bercy crowd doesn't stop booing. When I got a code (violation), I was, like, do
I really want to get disqualified and finish the match on this note? No. So I
went on to play,” former world No. 1 added.
Medvedev
also responded to the accusation that he had raised his middle finger to the
fans:
“I just
checked my nails, like this, it's nothing more than that. Why would I do that
to this beautiful crowd in Paris Bercy?” he asked.
The
27-year-old athlete, who resides in France and is fluent in the language,
mentioned that the public's reaction is not necessarily related to the country
but rather to the specific audience attending the matches:
“It kind of
doesn't really have to do anything with France or not France. I think it just
depends 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 very much this
tournament. Maybe there is a reason.”
Read also
Medvedev,
who was the champion of the tournament in 2021, admitted that he doesn't feel
comfortable playing in the Paris Masters and that maybe it won't be a part of
his schedule in a couple of years:
“Not
everyone likes to play here in Paris for this reason. I played in Bercy much
better when there was no crowd at all in attendance (during the pandemic). There
are some tournaments to which I like to come back, and here, well, I have
problems with the crowd. It happens. Maybe in two years we won't play here.”
“I don't
want to say the worst. Well, we have 60 players. 30 of them will love it; 10
players will think that it's not relevant,” he 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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