Daniil Medvedev admits he was DUMB to slam local tennis fans for having a ‘low IQ’ Australian Open

Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev has confessed he was ‘dumb’ to slam Melbourne Park tennis fans as ‘low IQ’ after his spiteful victory over Nick Kyrgios during last year’s Australian Open.

Medvedev, 26, toppled the Aussie 7-6 6-4 4-6 6-2 in a second-round match where rowdy spectators were warned repeatedly by the umpire about their behaviour.

After the match Medvedev accused spectators who were making noise during his service motion of having ‘a low IQ’.

‘It’s just a little disappointing when they are making so much noise between first and second serve, I guess some people just have a low IQ,’ he told Eurosport.

Medvedev, who is playing in the Adelaide International this week, now admits his comments were ‘stupid’ and that he generally likes Australian crowds.

‘First of all the thing I said was to … out of 13,000 (people) that were there, this comment was maybe to 50 people max, that’s the first thing,’ Medvedev said.

‘And this comment was probably not smart on my part. The way it was, the match with Nick, sometimes you just say things and after I’m like, ‘why did I say this?’

‘First of all, it’s maybe not true. Then (you tell yourself) it’s stupid. (But) that’s why we love sports, that’s why during the match we have some crazy moments, all of us.

‘Genuinely I like Australian crowds. I remember when I played (Alex) De Minaur in Sydney, for sure all of the stadium was for him but I remember after the match sitting with my coach and saying it was a great atmosphere – they were not disrespectful.

‘For sure when it’s disrespectful it’s tough for any player … it’s not easy. But again, everybody loves playing in Australia. It’s a great atmosphere so I’m looking forward to playing here and hopefully it’s going to be a good one.’

The Russian, who is gearing up to play Lorenzo Sonego in Adelaide on Tuesday, admitted he would love to beat Kyrgios again the next time they meet.

The pair met twice more after the Australian Open, with Kyrgios winning on both occasions. 

‘The three matches we played last year I felt were all great matches,’ Medvedev said.

‘For sure I wanted to play better in the two I lost, but Nick is a great player.

‘I feel like when I play him it’s just a great match-up and for sure I would like to play him more to try and do better than last year. I want to try and get my revenge if I have the chance.’