Beaten Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev seized the opening of his post-match press conference to share a contemplative story about his tennis journey.
Seemingly impacted by the partisan Melbourne crowd throughout his AO campaign, the Russian felt disrespected as fans cheered his errors and attempted to distract him when serving – culminating with his crushing five set loss to Rafael Nadal.
Delivering a monologue before taking questions from reporters, Medvedev pledged to only play for himself, family, friends and country in future, sensationally suggesting he would even miss the French Open or Wimbledon to instead compete in Moscow in front of a supportive home crowd.
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The 25-year-old went on to declare that the part of him that had dreamed of greatness as a child had died and it would be “tougher to continue tennis when it’s like this.”
The press conference moderator began by asking Medvedev whether he would have done anything differently if he could have his time again, and whether he had discussed the final with his coach.
“Actually did a little bit,” Medvedev responded.
“But it’s going to be a little bit of a new press conference because I’m going to start with short or long, I don’t know. I’ll try to keep it short. Story of a young kid who dreamed about big things in tennis.
“When I picked up a racquet when I was six years old, I mean, the time goes fast. When I was 12, practicing, playing some Russian tournaments, of course watching Grand Slams on the TV, big stars playing, fans supporting. You dream of being there.
“Start playing some tennis Europe tournaments. I actually remember playing Youth Olympic Games, I think it was called like Youth Olympic Festival or whatever. I made final. It was cool. We had like a center court. It was in Turkey. I would say there was maybe thousand people, two thousand. It was really cool, amazing to be there. Those are the moments where you dream of, yeah, bigger stages.
“Then I think the big part for every junior is playing in the junior Grand Slam. That’s where you can see the pros. At US Open you actually eating in the restaurant with them. Small things like this. There are people coming to support you even if probably they don’t really know who you are, but there are people supporting juniors. It’s great moments.
“That’s the moment where you’re like, Wow, I want to be there in this Grand Slams playing against the best people in the world.
“I remember when I went to US Open, I saw John Isner passing by. I was like, Wow, he’s so huge. He’s bigger than on the TV. It’s just nice moments.
“Then I don’t know, a lot of futures, a lot of challengers, try to climb your way up. You start playing biggest tournaments. There are some moments in my career where I think this kid was doubting if he should continue to dream about these big things or not.
“I remember one. I lost really tough match two times in Roland Garros actually. And I speak French. I feel like in my age I was maybe top five in this moment or something like this, which is not bad. Especially we have a huge generation, as you can see right now, a lot of top-10 players and stuff like this.
“I remember I lost to Benjamin Bonzi, who is in top hundred now. There was, if I’m not mistaken, one Russian journalist in the room. I was like, Really? It’s a Grand Slam. I think I was close to being top 50, really young. I was like, Okay, that’s surprising. I think the journalist was Russian so we talked for five minutes. I like talking to journalists.
“I remember a tough loss to Pierre-Hugues Herbert. 2-0 up in the sets. Actually amazing match. He played amazing. And I like these matches, that’s why I like tennis.
“I was on the edge of breaking top 10. Again, in my age I think I would be like top three, that would probably be Zverev, even maybe top two, Dominic, of course, but he’s a little bit older.
“I came in the press. I was a little bit, yeah, frustrated with the fans and everything. It’s funny because I wanted to keep it short, so I wanted to answer with two words or anything. There was one journalist. I think Italian, he asked me something and I answered two words, no more questions. There were some Russians, they asked me some things. Again, a kid was doubting if he should continue of dreaming big.
“I’m not going to explain why exactly, but today during the match I understood that I’m going to play tennis – actually it’s funny. I was talking about journalists, but I really like talking to you guys, I think you can see it. That’s not really the point. 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.
“From now on I’m playing for myself, for my family, to provide my family, for people that trust in me, of course for all the Russians because I feel a lot of support there.
“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. Thanks for listening, guys.
“Now we can go to questions about tennis or anything.”
The world No.2 then concluded with a smile that he would not answer any questions relating to his story.
Medvedev had his moments to break in the third set but admitted he got tight.
“Should have done better. Should have hit a winner,” Medvedev said
“Maybe would have won the match.”
“Tactically nothing changed,” he added, “but Rafa stepped up.”
Nadal praised Medvedev for the part he played in what eventually became the second longest Australian Open final ever.
Nadal’s loss to Djokovic a decade ago lasted five hours and 53 minutes.
Medvedev, who was aiming to be the first man in the Open era to win his second Grand Slam title at the very next major, was ever-so-close to spoiling another 21st celebration.
Djokovic was chasing the same record at the US Open last year, and a calendar-year Grand Slam when Medvedev beat him in straight sets in the final.
Medvedev continued his love-hate relationship with Australian crowds. He stayed calm for the first two sets before complaining about the yelling and noise between his first and second serves.
After Nadal broke him in the third game of the fourth set, on a double fault, Medvedev walked to the changeover giving an ironic thumbs up to the crowd.
There was an exchange of breaks but Nadal got the upper hand after a long game when he converted his seventh break point.
Medvedev urged chair umpire John Blom to shut the crowd up.
“Step up, man. It’s the final of a Grand Slam. ‘Please’ is not enough,” he said.
“They’re idiots. With idiots, ‘please’ doesn’t work.”
After Medvedev served a double fault to open the fifth set, Blom warned the crowd that anyone yelling between first and second serves could get kicked out by security.
Medvedev did manage to hold that game but in the end, he didn’t quite have the endurance.
“I want to congratulate Rafa,” he said.
“What he did today was amazing. You’re an amazing champion.”
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