AFP, New York :
Daniil Medvedev has been the US Open’s wacky villain, booed by fans after making an obscene gesture, while the Russian’s coach sees him as a misunderstood genius.
But after apologizing to the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium following his quarter-final victory Tuesday over Stan Wawrinka, Medvedev said he wants to show a “bright side” to capture who he really is.
“What I have done is not so good, still people support me… What can I say. I like to be myself, guys,” said Medvedev. “I have to say, sorry guys, and thank you.”
Boos greeted Medvedev as he walked onto the court, the frosty reception stemming from his obscene gesture and unsportsmanlike conduct in a third-round match, snatching a towel from a ballboy and lifting a middle finger to the side of his head.
Medvedev was hit with a $9,000 fine for his antics, his third fine in as many matches.
Subsequent taunts to crowds about how their jeers made an electric atmosphere that gave him inspiration to win didn’t help.
Medvedev later called himself “an idiot” and admitted he needed better on court behavior.
He got mixed applause and jeers after beating Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, and hoped he has made peace with the notoriously loud and rowdy US Open spectators.
“Hopefully. It’s not for me to decide,” he said. “What I got I deserved. Usually I’m not like this, as I was in the third-round match. I’m not proud of it. I’m working to be better. Hopefully I can show the bright side of myself.”
