As the dust settled on the thrilling Indian Wells quarter-final, Daniil Medvedev, the world’s sixth-ranked tennis player, offered an explanation for his exuberant victory celebration. The rollercoaster match against Arthur Fils culminated in a nail-biting tiebreak win for Medvedev. The Russian ace’s uncharacteristically animated expression of joy left the Sky Sports pundits scratching their heads in bewilderment.
Renowned for his playful victory celebrations, Medvedev was seen taking four leaps of joy towards Fils for the customary handshake. His quirky antics are not new to the tennis world, as he has previously imitated the EA FC ‘dead fish’ celebration post his US Open win and even showcased unconventional dance moves on occasion. However, this particular outpouring of emotion significantly stood out.
The match against Fils was a test of mettle for Medvedev. The two-time Indian Wells finalist had to claw his way back from a break down in the deciding set, eventually securing a hard-fought 6-4 2-7 7-6(7) win on his third match point. Fils’ volley beyond the baseline sealed the Russian’s victory, triggering his joyous celebration.
Former world No. 4 Tim Henman, now a Sky Sports commentator, was taken aback by Medvedev’s reaction. “Love to see it and, also, Medvedev is a Grand Slam winner, he’s won Masters 1000s but I think, again, that’s a reflection of how desperate he is to win these tight matches,” Henman noted.
Sky Sports host Gigi Salmon, intrigued by Medvedev’s celebratory leaps, questioned him about it. Medvedev drew parallels with his celebration after beating Andrey Rublev in the US Open, which was his first tournament following a bout of Covid. He admitted that the uncertainty surrounding his physical condition post-Covid made that victory particularly sweet.
Medvedev also shared insights into his recent performance struggles, admitting to losing confidence after a series of tight matches that didn’t go his way. Following early exits from the Australian Open and the Rotterdam Open, he had shown signs of improvement in Marseille and the Middle Eastern swing. However, the loss to Tallon Griekspoor in Dubai, where he squandered four match points, was a significant setback.
On a more positive note, Medvedev expressed satisfaction with his performance at Indian Wells, stating, “Finally playing good, feeling good.” He acknowledged Fils’ exceptional play in the third set and emphasized his determination to keep trying and battling, no matter the outcome.
Looking ahead to the semi-final match against Holger Rune, Medvedev expressed respect for his next rival, praising him as a “great competitor and top player.” Having finished as the runner-up for the past two years at Indian Wells, Medvedev is eager to finally claim the elusive title. His spirited performance in the quarter-final and his optimistic outlook certainly bode well for his upcoming matches.