'I think it makes it more interesting' - John McEnroe has no issues with Daniil Medvedev’s umpire rant

John McEnroe had no problems with Daniil Medvedev’s verbal volley at umpire Jaume Campistol during his Australian Open semi-final win over Stefanos Tsitsipas. With the second set swinging in Tsitsipas’ favour, No. 1 seed Medvedev took his frustrations out on the umpire — forcefully telling him to step in amid suggestions his opponent’s coach and father was providing tactical advice.

Ad/> Medvedev continued his attack at the end the second set, accusing Campistol of being a “small cat.” Australian Open menFederer and Djokovic will be ‘following closely’ as Nadal seeks 21st Grand Slam4 HOURS AGO Federer and Djokovic will be following final closely Rafa the great, Medvedev's meltdown — Aus Open diary The Russian left the court and seemingly cooled down, as he regrouped to run out a 7-6(5) 4-6 6-4 6-1 winner — after which he mouthed «I'm sorry» to the chair official. While his play for much of the contest should have been the talking point, it was his attacking of the official which had tongues wagging. Eurosport pundit Justine Henin suggested Medvedev had crossed a line and that a penalty should be considered, but McEnroe — no stranger to berating officials during his playing days — disagreed.

«You're probably asking the wrong person, if you're asking me if the referee should default a player,” McEnroe said. “I personally love to see emotions. “If they trash talk a little bit, like we used to in the past, especially like me and [Jimmy] Connors, or me and [Ivan] Lendl, I think it makes it more interesting.