King of sarcasm: Daniil Medvedev on speaking his mind, adjusting to slow courts, and making the most of Sinner’s absence

After his opening round victory in the Indian Wells Open tennis tournament a few days ago, Daniil Medvedev scribbled a sarcastic message on the camera lens.

“6-2, 6-2, 1h 36m, very fast courts,” wrote the former world No. 1.

Medvedev has never been a fan of the slow hard courts at Indian Wells.

One of his most famous mid-match rants came at this very tournament two years ago when he became so frustrated at the speed of the court, he told the umpire between sets: “It’s a disgrace to sport, this court. It’s not a hard court. I know what is hard court, I’m a specialist on hard court.”

This year, the courts have been redone and several players have said they felt the surface has been playing faster than usual. Not Medvedev, though, who made sure to point out that his 6-2, 6-2 win over Bu Yunchaokete last Friday should not have taken him more than 90 minutes to complete. 

"I know what a hard court is - I'm a specialist"

Pure gold, @DaniilMedwed pic.twitter.com/3izAnE82Ui

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 14, 2023

Last month in Dubai, Medvedev mocked the net-cam for failing to show whether his opponent had touched the net or not on a video replay, and suggested on social media he should be refunded the $60,000 fine he paid for breaking the net-cam during the Australian Open a few weeks earlier.

“What is this $60k camera doing there, if it cannot show if he touched the net or not?” said Medvedev in the post-match press conference.

Whether he is losing his cool on court, taunting the crowd, or speaking his mind in press, Medvedev has become a fan favorite for being both funny and authentic. Even his peers find his openness refreshing, with one player recently telling me he particularly enjoys watching Medvedev’s press