Daniil Medvedev labels Wimbledon boos 'a big misunderstanding'

July 11, 2023

ATP Tennis Players, Daniil Medvedev, Tennis News, Wimbledon, WTA Tennis Players

Daniil Medvedev labels Wimbledon boos ‘a big misunderstanding’

Daniil Medvedev has voiced his opinion on Victoria Azarenka being ‘booed’ by the Wimbledon crowd, with the Russian labelling the situation ‘a pity’.

Medvedev returned to Wimbledon this year along with his fellow Russian and Belarusian athletes, who were banned from The Championships last year due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Following his first round win, Medvedev spoke about how he was apprehensive at the reaction he was going to receive from the crowd, but was positively surprised.

However, things did not go the same way for Belarusian Azarenka, who was booed by the Court No.1 crowd after her fourth round defeat to Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.

Svitolina has made it clear that she would not be shaking the hands of Russian and Belarusian players and Azarenka acknowledged that, but it appeared that some of the Wimbledon crowd were not aware of this.

Victoria Azarenka has spoken out after she was booed off court at #Wimbledon yesterday… ? pic.twitter.com/NuTNa9gE4F

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 10, 2023

Medvedev has now had his say on the situation, “I think it was a big misunderstanding. It’s a pity for Vika because she lost 11-9 in the tiebreaker. It’s brutal for anyone that loses a third-set tiebreaker, deciding a set tiebreaker is brutal.”

The former No.1 added, “I liked her [Azarenka’s] response at the press conference, she respected the decision of Svitolina about not shaking hands. I think the crowd that comes, they’re not all going to know the story behind this. They just saw Vika not shaking hands. That’s why I think they booed her.”

The WTA has since released a statement, “Following the unfortunate circumstances and misunderstanding in yesterday’s match at Wimbledon (along with other matches the past several weeks), the WTA would like to provide clarity around post-match handshakes.

“Due to the ongoing reprehensible war, the WTA respects the position of the Ukrainian athletes in foregoing the tradition of shaking opponents’ hands (from Russia and Belarus) at the end of a match, as this is a personal decision. We have some of the best fans in the world and are grateful for their passion and dedication, and we thank them for their understanding and respect for the athletes.”

WTA Statement on post-match handshakes:

Following the unfortunate circumstances and misunderstanding in yesterday’s match at @Wimbledon (along with other matches the past several weeks), the WTA would like to provide clarity around post-match handshakes.

Due to the ongoing…

— wta (@WTA) July 10, 2023

For Medvedev, he will now look forward to playing his first ever quarter-final at Wimbledon after his fourth round opponent Jiri Lehecka retired with injury.

The 2021 US Open champion will play against Christopher Eubanks tomorrow, who has been a crowd favourite at his first ever main draw appearance at Wimbledon.

Medvedev has previewed the match, “He’s [Eubanks] a great player. Miami was his first, let’s call it, a breakthrough in a way. He played great against me and it was a very tough match. I know I need to be at my 100% and absolute best physically, tennis-wise, and mentally to try to beat him.”

Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon

While Daniil Medvedev does not claim to be a grass court specialist, he will be the favourite as he looks to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon for the first time in his career.

Here is his record at SW19 over the years:

Main draw win-loss record: 12-4 (75%)

2016 – Lost in third qualifying round to Marcus Willis (wildcard), 6-3 5-7 3-6 4-6

2017 – Lost in second round to Ruben Bemelmans (qualifier), 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 3-6

2018 – Lost in third round to Adrian Mannarino (22), 4-6 3-6 6-4 7-5 3-6

2019 – Lost in third round to David Goffin (21), 6-4 2-6 6-3 3-6 5-7

2021 – Lost in fourth round to Hubert Hurkacz (14), 6-2 6(2)-7 6-3 3-6 3-6

2023 – Currently in the quarter-final