PARIS — Daniil Medvedev unleashed a fiery, expletive-laden rant in his post-match press conference after a shock third-round defeat to Britain's Cameron Norrie at the 2024 French Open, threatening future withdrawals from Roland Garros if conditions don't improve.
The world No. 5, known for his combustible on-court personality, didn't hold back when addressing the media after his 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 loss. Medvedev, who has historically struggled on clay, criticized the tournament's scheduling, court conditions, and even took aim at the Parisian crowd, calling the experience "a f***ing disaster from start to finish."
Medvedev's Explosive Press Conference
The Russian star, a former US Open champion, was visibly frustrated throughout the match, arguing with the umpire over line calls and repeatedly gesturing toward the court surface. His anger boiled over in the press room, where he launched into a tirade that quickly went viral.
"I don’t know if I’ll come back next year. Honestly, this tournament is a joke," Medvedev said. "The courts are terrible, the balls are like rocks, and the crowd? Don’t even get me started."
Medvedev’s outburst came after a match where he struggled with footing on Court Suzanne Lenglen, slipping multiple times. He accused organizers of failing to maintain the surface properly, claiming it was "dangerously uneven" in patches.
Key Complaints from Medvedev
The 28-year-old outlined several grievances in his rant, including:
- Poor court conditions leading to inconsistent bounces
- Late-night scheduling forcing players to compete in cold, heavy conditions
- Lack of responsiveness from tournament officials
- Hostile crowd behavior, including excessive booing
Medvedev’s frustration peaked when discussing the balls, which he claimed were "impossible to control" due to their stiffness in the damp evening air.
Norrie Capitalizes on Medvedev’s Struggles
British No. 1 Cam Norrie, ranked 42nd, took full advantage of Medvedev’s discomfort, playing a disciplined baseline game to secure his first-ever win over the Russian in four attempts. Norrie praised his own performance but acknowledged his opponent’s difficulties.
"I could see he wasn’t happy out there," Norrie said. "But I just focused on my game. It’s not easy playing someone like Daniil, even when he’s frustrated."
The victory marked Norrie’s best-ever French Open run, advancing him to the fourth round. Meanwhile, Medvedev’s early exit continued his mixed record at Roland Garros, where he has never reached the final.
Tournament Officials Respond
French Open organizers declined to comment directly on Medvedev’s remarks but defended the tournament’s conditions in a brief statement:
"Roland Garros maintains the highest standards for player safety and court quality. All surfaces are inspected daily, and we work closely with the ATP to address any concerns."
Other players, however, have also voiced frustrations this year. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic previously criticized the night sessions for being "too cold and slow," while Aryna Sabalenka called the balls "unpredictable."
What’s Next for Medvedev?
Despite his threats, Medvedev is expected to return to the ATP Tour for the grass-court season, where he has historically performed better. However, his relationship with the French Open appears fractured.
Tennis analysts were divided on his outburst. Some, like former player Brad Gilbert, called it "an overreaction," while others sympathized with his complaints about scheduling.
Medvedev’s agent later clarified that no final decision had been made about future French Open participation but acknowledged that "changes need to happen" for the Russian to feel comfortable returning.
Conclusion
Medvedev’s explosive post-match comments have reignited debates about player conditions at Roland Garros. While his language was extreme, his frustrations reflect broader concerns about the tournament’s scheduling and court maintenance.
Whether he follows through on his threat remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Medvedev won’t stay silent when unhappy—even if it means dropping an X-rated bombshell in front of the world’s media.