Medvedev dueled in the semifinals with archenemy Tsitsipas

In the semi-finals of the Australian Open, two hot-blooded guys meet in Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev. In previous duels between the two tennis stars, scraps have flown a few times.

It is the eighth duel between two of the greatest contenders for the tennis throne for years to come. With a tournament victory in Melbourne, Medvedev, who won the last Grand Slam tournament with the US Open, could soon be the new number 1.

In the first five direct comparisons, the now 23-year-old Tsitsipas (ATP 4) lost out to Medvedev, who was two years his senior. Tsitsipas has won twice in the last three games, but at the last Australian Open Medvedev had the upper hand in three sets in the semifinals. So now there is another showdown at the same place.

Above all, their first encounter in 2018 in Miami provided plenty of material for discussion. Medvedev even wanted to attack his opponent after the game because the Greek is said to have insulted him with the words “shit Russian”.

“Strange Relationship”

Although the dispute between the two never escalated like it did at the premiere, the rather cold handshakes after the previous direct duels confirm the impression that the two very different guys don’t like each other. “We’re definitely not friends, but we’re not enemies either. We are colleagues, that’s all, »Medvedev once summed up dryly. Alexander Zverev described the atmosphere between the two as follows: “The two have a strange relationship. Whatever they have, I’ll leave it to them.”

In a press conference, Tsitsipas already complained about his rival’s unorthodox game. “I don’t mean to be rude, but frankly it’s boring. He has a great serve and if you bring it back it’s just countless rallies on the court.” Compliments sure sound different.

But as is well known, Medvedev didn’t say anything either and countered Tsitisipas’ statements. “He says my game is boring? Really? Fine, I won’t argue with him. Everyone has their own style,” said the Russian, irritated. He later followed up and made fun of an episode of the Greek – Tsitsipas admitted in 2019 after the Laver Cup triumph that he had been pushed to drink alcohol. “That’s ridiculous. I can’t take him seriously,” he said.

More similar than expected

In addition to the hope of soon sending the Big 3 into tennis retirement, the two hotheads share more in common than they are well aware of. For example, both Medvedev and Tsitsipas are among the tennis professionals who repeatedly offend fans and colleagues with their style and thus cause controversy. But the referees feel the most anger from them. The unequal duo leaves no one in the tennis circus untouched. Either you warm up to Medvedev and Tistsipas – or you don’t.

Meanwhile, things seem to have cooled off between them a bit. After all, the two impulsive contemporaries have also become a bit more experienced and mature. But one thing is clear: all it takes is a spark and the powder keg explodes.