Daniil Medvedev has no explanation for US Open behaviour – ‘Drives people crazy’

Men’s tennis star Daniil Medvedev says he can’t explain why athletes shout at their team in the box after missing shots, saying that the sport “drives people crazy”. Third seed Medvedev won his US Open first-round match against Attila Balazs, dropping just two games in the three-set breeze in the Big Apple.

And with the Russian happy to open up in his press conference having booked his place in the second round against Christopher O’Connell, a reporter asked him why some tennis players shout at their team after making an error that is out of their control while sitting up in the stands. “I don’t really have an explanation,” Medvedev replied.

“I used to think that tennis drives people crazy. When I say ‘people’, tennis players drive themselves crazy. In my opinion, it’s mainly because there are days, even in training, it’s the same for games, but on training days when you enter the court, you know, you warm up a bit.

“You’re like, ‘Wow, I feel good. The forehand goes where I want. The reverse is there. I can even do a drop shot or a slice from time to time. Everything is fine’. Then there will be days when you slept well, woke up well, and can’t hit the ball into the court. You get frustrated because at some point when you miss maybe 10 balls, say, you start looking at your coach and asking, ‘What’s going on?’ It happens to me, say, to miss a long forehand.

“In general, when you miss a long shot, you have to cover the ball a little more to get it into the court. Sometimes you think you did it, and then you ask your coach, ‘Well, I did it. What happened? Then you argue, you talk, so I think it’s because of that.”

Medvedev has a history of verbally sparring with his coaches during games. In fact, his coach stormed off during his Halle Open final defeat against Hubert Hurkacz last year. He then snapped after losing his serve in the opening game of the second set and aimed his frustration at his coach, Gilles Cervara.

Don’t miss…
Coco Gauff wins battle of teenagers at US Open to send Mirra Andreeva packing[LATEST]
US Open claims its first British victim as Lily Miyazaki crashes out[LATEST]
Mirra Andreeva rejected Andy Murray offer before US Open as Russian still scared[LATEST]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Cervara then packed his bags and left the stands while the tennis star’s wife, Daria, stuck around to watch. Medvedev will have to keep his cool if he’s to claim a career-second Grand Slam.

The Russian’s only Grand Slam to date was the US Open in 2021 when he produced a brilliant performance to beat Novak Djokovic in straoght sets. Medvedev has been beaten in three other major finals, twice at the Australian Open and also the 2019 US Open where he was beaten by Rafael Nadal.

Source: Read Full Article