Daniil Medvedev Reflects on Fiery Paris Masters Encounter with Crowd, Hopes for a Fresh Start

Daniil Medvedev is determined to rebuild his relationship with the Paris Masters crowd after a tense clash last year. The world No. 5 had a heated exchange with fans during his match against Grigor Dimitrov, going so far as to sit down in protest, refusing to continue until the booing subsided. Admitting now that he let his frustration get the better of him, Medvedev reflected on the incident, acknowledging his fault after shushing the crowd and earning a time violation in the process.

Known for his intense—and sometimes quirky—court behavior, Medvedev has had several memorable moments, like calling an umpire a “small cat” or joking that “the Illuminati” make decisions on court. Yet, the situation in Paris-Bercy was particularly tense. When Medvedev threw his racket in frustration, the crowd’s reaction intensified, leading him to respond by shushing them. When this only worsened the response, Medvedev complained to the umpire and took a seat, temporarily halting play. He later admitted he worried about disqualification as he continued to receive penalties.

Ultimately losing the match in three sets, Medvedev gave a sarcastic “gesture” to the crowd afterward, brushing it off as a “nail check” in a lighthearted comment. Reflecting a year later, the 20-time title winner acknowledged his role, explaining to Eurosport, “I know how it went last year, and I’m at fault. Already, on the court, I didn’t feel good in terms of tennis, in terms of the game. And so, behind that, what happens? I get angry. And the French don’t like it when people get angry.”

Now, Medvedev is eager to reconnect with the French fans and has already taken positive steps by training with Carlos Alcaraz, noting the crowd’s supportive reaction. “I can’t wait to see how it’s going to be this year,” he shared. “I want to try to thrill the French crowd and play well above all.”

In his recent match against Alexei Popyrin, Medvedev did his best to keep his emotions in check, even when he struggled in the first set. He made small adjustments—switching his racket, shoes, and socks—to regain control, eventually fighting back to take the second set 6-2. Despite some frustration and a tiebreak loss, Medvedev’s new approach suggests he’s prepared to balance his passion with composure, keeping the focus on winning over both the fans and his matches in Paris.