Daniil Medvedev calls Australian Open fans ‘idiots’ during heated Rafael Nadal final

Daniil Medvedev reacts to US Open win over Novak Djokovic

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Daniil Medvedev has hit out at Australian Open fans during his final showdown with Rafael Nadal on Sunday morning. The world No 2 is hoping to win the title and currently leads by two sets to one. Yet his temper has been boiling over in the fourth set, with the crowd coming in for criticism. 

Medvedev is out to deny Nadal history on Sunday, with the Spaniard hoping to move out in front of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on 21 Grand Slam titles.

It’s been a great start from the Russian, who won the first set 6-2 before claiming the second 7-6 (7-5).

But Medvedev has started to lose his cool since losing the third set and, in the fourth, hit out at fans inside the Rod Laver Arena.

Speaking to Australian umpire John Blom, Medvedev called on him to get the crowd under control – branding supporters as ‘idiots’ in the process.

He said: “You need to say if anyone shouts out on second serve: ‘They are an idiot.’

“They are idiots. Empty brained.”

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Medvedev has been booed by some supporters throughout the showdown.

Many inside the stadium want to see Nadal make history and win a 21st Grand Slam on a court where he’s previously triumphed just once before.

Medvedev, however, is hoping to build on his US Open triumph last year.

And victory will boost his goal of becoming world No 1, especially with Djokovic absent from the competition this year.

The Australian Open final was also halted earlier on after a fan stormed the court before then being dragged away by security. 

Today isn’t the first time Medvedev’s temper boiled over.

The Russian was also furious during his semi-final win, hitting out at the empire as he battled his way to victory.

Explaining his actions after that match, Medvedev said: “To be honest, I don’t think the emotions helped me to win this match.

“Many times in the past I have lost a match because of this. I lost too much energy.

“As soon as I did it, it was a big mistake. I lost some energy and I had to refocus. I tried my best and I am glad it worked.”

Mats Wilander, meanwhile, thinks Federer and Djokovic will both be watching Nadal’s match today.

“Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are for sure following these finals very closely,” Wilander told Eurosport.

“First of all they are lovers of tennis. I think they will most probably watch it because it’s fun and [they’ll think]: ‘Ah, yeah, that’s what Rafa used to do against me’ or ‘Look at this Daniil Medvedev, is he better than we ever were?’

“Then I think there’s the tactical tennis pro that’s still out there [thinking]: ‘What can I learn from what Medvedev does to Nadal, or Nadal does to Medvedev?’.

“So I’m sure Federer and Djokovic are both watching.”

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