
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 24, 2024 Russia’s Daniil Medvedev celebrates winning his quarter final match against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 24, 2024 Russia’s Daniil Medvedev celebrates winning his quarter final match against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
Daniil Medvedev‘s smart strategies and mind games have always given him an edge on the court! His tactics have kept opponents guessing and, at the same time, solidified Medvedev’s reputation as a master tactician. Recently, after his victory in the quarterfinal, he has opened up about how he tricked his opponent into bagging a top-5 setter at the Australian Open.
While he made his way into the semi-finals of the tournament, during the quarter-finals, he displayed his strategic side to claim what he wanted.
Daniil Medvedev reveals how he tricked his opponent
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After achieving a quarter-final victory against Hubert Hurkacz, during the post-match press conference, he detailed in a cheeky explanation of how he tricked his opponent with his returns. The Russian tennis player edged past his opponent in a 5-set thriller match as they both grilled hard to make their place in the semifinal. After the match, he was questioned about whether he was trying to throw his opponent under the bus with his tricks.
Medvedev after reaching Australian Open SF
McEnroe: “The other day you gave a masterclass with Jim Courier about returning. Suddenly you come out today and are standing a lot closer. Were you trying to throw Hurkacz off?
Daniil: “It was funny because after in the press… pic.twitter.com/m9ScFK6m0X
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 24, 2024
He said, “In my mind, I knew that against Hubi, amazing serve and volley. He’s probably the only one where even if I stay really far back, the ball continues to go up. It doesn’t really go down. So it doesn’t really work to stay there. Talking to Jim, talking in the press conference, I was like ‘I know I’m gonna stay close. But I’m not gonna tell it to you guys right now.'”
It seems that Medvedev was quite clear regarding how he was going to stand against his Polish opponent and make his skills a strength on the court. Not only that, he also detailed how, during a previous press conference, when he was talking about returns, he was quite aware of how he didn’t want to open up about his tactics for the match.
Amidst Daniil Medvedev’s dominant run Down Under, he also sparked controversy during the same match with his move, which left fans confused and irked at the same time.
Medvedev’s controversial act irked tennis fans
As soon as the 27-year-old Russian tennis player lost the second set to his opponent, both sat down after a hard set. However, the time given to each player to use the facilities is only 5 minutes. But the Grand Slam champion pushed the time limit and took more than 7 minutes to return to the court, which apparently annoyed fans as they shared their reactions on X.
One fan made fun of him and wrote, “Medvedev just running off to the locker room for 7 mins after dropping a set lol.”
Medvedev just running off to the locker room for 7 mins after dropping a set lol.
— I’mBeyonceAlways (@_tallbeets_) January 24, 2024
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On the other hand, another fan questioned whether he should be given a penalty for his act: “Medvedev pushed it out to 7 minutes. Should’ve been a point penalty?”
Agree with Brad Gilbert. Why have a rule that limits players to 5 minutes between sets but not penalize them when they go over?
It’s not like that was set 4.Medvedev pushed it out to 7 minutes. Should’ve been a point penalty?#AO2024
— notyourcountryclub (@showfortennis) January 24, 2024
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However, even after facing criticism and taking a long break, everything worked out for the Russian tennis player as he got back and defeated his opponent to make his place in the semi-finals. Moreover, what are your thoughts on Medvedev’s strategic moves that help him against his opponent? Do let us know in the comment section below.
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