Daniil Medvedev: Outbursts, Honking Horns, and the Mind of Tennis’ Most Unpredictable Star
Daniil Medvedev is one of only two players born in the 1990s to win a Grand Slam title

Daniil Medvedev: Outbursts, Honking Horns, and the Mind of Tennis’ Most Unpredictable Star

When Daniil Medvedev collapsed on the Arthur Ashe court in 2021 after defeating Novak Djokovic to win his maiden Grand Slam, many thought exhaustion had gotten the better of him. But then he lay there on his side, rigid like a fallen fish, and the confusion set in.

What was he doing? Why was one of the most unorthodox champions in recent memory celebrating in such a bizarre way?

Only those who had grown up glued to FIFA video games understood. Medvedev laughed as he explained it to the New York crowd: “Only legends will understand – what I did was L2+left.”

It was vintage Medvedev. Awkward, self-aware, mischievous. And it told us something important: this is a player who will never pretend to be anything other than himself.


Inside Daniil Medvedev’s Quirky Mind

At 29, Medvedev remains one of the most engaging characters in tennis. His idiosyncrasies don’t come from calculated branding or slick PR work — they come from his personality.

“I just try to be myself,” he told BBC Sport at Wimbledon earlier this summer. “Some people might think I’m boring, and that’s fine. Others might find me funny. Either way, I’m not going to fake it.”

That candor is a big part of why fans remain drawn to him, even as his ranking has slipped to No. 13 in the world. Many athletes in today’s game polish away their edges. Medvedev, in contrast, shows his. Sometimes in charm, sometimes in frustration.

Earlier this year, the ATP Tour surprised him with a book of positive social media messages from fans. Some praised him for “breaking the mould” of how players act. Others noted his humor, his natural charisma, his ability to stand out without trying. Medvedev grinned when asked about it: “I think my friends would say I’m fun to be around, but also serious when I need to be. I’m an all-round person — and all-round people have charisma.”


The Jekyll and Hyde of the Court

Daniil Medvedev does the 'dead fish' celebration after the 2021 US Open final

Daniil Medvedev does the ‘dead fish’ celebration after the 2021 US Open final

Spend time with Medvedev off the court and you’ll find someone polite, articulate, quick to smile. Watch him on the court, and you’ll sometimes see the opposite.

This season alone, at the Australian Open, he was fined over £60,000 for smashing a net camera to pieces with his racquet. Past misdemeanors include shouting at line judges, snatching towels from ball kids, and even flipping off a hostile crowd.

How does Medvedev explain the contradiction?

“Off the court, there’s rarely a situation where my adrenaline spikes,” he said. “But on the court, my only goal is to win. I hate losing. That adrenaline brings everything out of me — sometimes good energy, sometimes bad.”

The bad, he admits, can leave him with regrets. But he offers an analogy anyone who’s ever driven a car will understand:

“It’s like honking on the road. If I could honk on a tennis court instead of shouting or smashing, I’d do it every time. Tell me how many people honk when driving. About 99%. That’s my outbursts. My honks.”

It’s a revealing metaphor. Medvedev doesn’t see his temper as a sign of malice, but rather as a reflex — a pressure valve in an environment that offers no room for calm.


A Dip in Form

The problem for Medvedev is that lately, there has been more honking than winning.

For only the second time in six years, he’s outside the world’s top 10. His once-untouchable serve has gone missing, his stamina in grinding baseline rallies has dipped, and his Grand Slam record in 2025 tells the story of a player searching for answers: just one match win across three majors.

Even his beloved North American hard courts — the stage where he won that career-defining U.S. Open and reached three finals — have provided little solace.

“I could find 10 reasons why and still not know which is the main one,” he admitted to ATP.com. “So we sat down as a team and asked: what can we change? Where can we improve? We came up with some things, and now it’s about implementing them.”


Why Fans Still Root for Him

Despite the struggles, Medvedev remains a fan favorite. Part of it is his track record: a Grand Slam champion, a world No. 1, a disruptor in the Big Three era. But part of it is his authenticity.

When he celebrates, he celebrates like himself — even if that means pretending to be a character in a video game. When he vents, he vents like himself — even if that means metaphorically honking at the umpire.

In a sport often criticized for being too stiff, too corporate, Medvedev is something rare: a player who is transparently human.


Can Medvedev Surprise Us Again?

As the U.S. Open approaches, few are picking him to win. His form doesn’t demand it. His body language has often looked weary. And yet, if history has taught us anything about Daniil Medvedev, it’s that he has a knack for flipping the script when least expected.

Maybe the serve clicks. Maybe the fight returns. Maybe the honks turn into fist pumps.

And if, by some twist of fate, Medvedev does find himself lifting the trophy in New York again, don’t bet against another quirky, game-inspired celebration.

“I don’t game on tour,” he said, smiling, “but when I’m home and the kids are asleep, I still play. So, who knows?”


Final Thoughts

Daniil Medvedev’s story right now isn’t about perfection. It’s about imperfection — the fiery outbursts, the wobbles in form, the flashes of brilliance mixed with frustration. But in a way, that’s what makes him so compelling.

He is not trying to be tennis’ polished poster boy. He’s trying to be Daniil Medvedev — flawed, fascinating, unpredictable. And for fans who crave something real, that’s more than enough reason to keep watching.

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