"If they allow us to play on such courts, I can allow myself to do what I want" - Daniil Medvedev continues criticism of Indian Wells court conditions
Daniil Medvedev once again expressed his displeasure with the slow nature of the courts used at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. He even called them a "freaking disgrace" to the sport.
Taking on Alexander Zverev in the fourth round, the Russian was trailing 0-40 in his final service game before mounting a comeback that saw the set go to a tiebreaker. However, the tiebreak went 7-5 in favor of Zverev, diminishing Medvedev's chances of reaching the quarterfinals.
"It's a disgrace to sport, this court!"
An all-time rant from Daniil Medvedev, who says he will take five time violations to be as slow as these courts. https://t.co/Sitslqv2dq
At the changeover at the end of the set, Medvedev sat down in his seat and immediately went on an angry rant, reiterating his sentiments from earlier. The former World No. 1 was in disbelief at how slow the courts were and took his anger out on the chair umpire.
Telling the umpire that he was going to take a toilet break, Daniil Medvedev declared that he was going to take all the time in the world and did not care if he got multiple time violations. If the ATP can make players play in such poor conditions, Medvedev reckoned he had the right to do "whatever" he wanted.
"Should be banned from playing here. Freaking disgrace to the sport, this freaking court. And they call it hardcourts. What a shame to call this court a hardcourt. I'm going to toilet but I don't care if you give me time violation. I am going to be as slow as these courts," Daniil Medvedev said.
"I don't care. Give me five time violations. If they allow us to play on such courts, then I can allow myself to do whatever I want."
I support Daniil’s rights and even more Daniil’s wrongs
https://t.co/7iuOipWvnR
At the time of printing, the second set score read 3-2 in favor of Medvedev with no breaks for either player.
Daniil Medvedev currently on a 3-tournament win streak
Daniil Medvedev's three-tournament win streak is currently at risk as he trails Alexander Zverev by one-set-to-nil in the fourth round of the 2023 Indian Wells Masters.
Medvedev came into the ATP Masters 1000 tournament after back-to-back-to-back title wins at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, the Qatar Open in Doha and the Dubai Tennis Championships. He defeated Jannik Sinner in the final in Rotterdam before prevailing over Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev in the respective finals in Doha and Dubai.