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

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Updated 12 March 2025
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King of sarcasm: Daniil Medvedev on speaking his mind, adjusting to slow courts, and making the most of Sinner’s absence

  • Russian former world No. 1 tennis star recently spoke to Arab News in Dubai about his plans to recapture his best form

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. 

 

 

 

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 conferences because “he is true to himself.”

Medvedev found that amusing when I told him and did not hesitate when I asked him if he had a personal favorite public speaker.

“I definitely love Jose Mourinho. That’s my favorite one,” Medvedev replied in a recent interview in Dubai.

“He’s the king of sarcasm. I can be like this sometimes, but I don’t really, in a way, like to do it during press. I could be, but in press I try to be more serious. But I absolutely love his sarcasm. It’s like so on point all the time. Because there is sarcasm, which you are like looking and you think it’s stupid, but he’s on point 99 percent of the time.”

 

 

 

 

Most people will say that Medvedev’s sarcasm is also “on point,” although he admits he sometimes should hold back when he is on court.

“The thing is that here (in press), I speak what I think,” he said in Indian Wells this week.

“On the court sometimes I say things which I don’t really think. It’s just because of the adrenaline, the stakes, the pressure of the moment, I sometimes say things which after the game I can clearly say I did not think this, it’s not true.”

Has he ever been discouraged by anyone from his entourage to be less forthcoming to avoid controversy?

“I could be discouraged, but only from myself,” he said.

Tennis can be seen as a polished sport, with most players advised to keep things diplomatic when speaking to the press, especially in this age of social media when statements can easily be taken out of context.

It is why someone like Medvedev can stand out, as one of a only a few who try to share their honest thoughts about difficult subject matter.

As an entertainment product, tennis faces stiff competition from other major sports and the endless content available on streaming platforms. Medvedev is a sports fan and realizes tennis can be lagging in certain areas on the business front, but is unsure what the tour can adopt from other leagues or disciplines in order to boost its popularity.

“When I look at tennis as a sport and what it is and which players we have and how many people watch it, that there could have been something that much better and maybe tennis would be... I would not be surprised if it would be even second after football, maybe, which it’s not in a way,” he said.

“But for this, I don’t know what needs to be done.

“I’m sure that something could have been done better because I see that tennis is struggling in some parts of business. And at the same time, I’m not the one to change it.”

 

 

 

 

One thing that has kept tennis in the headlines in recent weeks is the three-month ban handed to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol, which authorities accepted was transmitted into his system via an over-the-counter cream used by his former physiotherapist to treat a wound in his hand.

Sinner, who won eight titles last season, including two Grand Slams, will be out of action until May. Does Medvedev believe the Italian’s absence can open the door for him to scoop some silverware?

“It depends because in the big picture, not having Sinner, who’s winning probably lately one out of two tournaments he’s in, maybe even a bit more, is definitely favorable in terms of results for everyone on the tour, not only me, literally everyone,” said Medvedev.

“And at the same time, the way my results were lately, I don’t care in a way about Sinner because last many, many tournaments, I haven’t even faced him because I was not far enough to face him. So it depends.

“But I like what Carlos (Alcaraz) said, that the most important is to look at yourself, try to do what you can best, win matches. You play Sinner, you try to win, you play someone else, you try to win, and that’s the most important.”

In Medvedev’s own words, his start to the season has been “slow,” with an early exit at the Australian Open and just one semifinal appearance in five tournaments contested so far in 2025.

The 29-year-old dropped out of the top five in January, for the first time in two years and is ranked No. 6 this fortnight at Indian Wells.

Owner of 20 career titles, Medvedev has not lifted a champion’s trophy since May 2023, which he mostly attributes to the heavier balls introduced by the ATP Tour in recent years.

“It brings some disadvantages to some players. It brings some advantages to some others. And that’s normal. The only thing I’m asking is, we have slow balls, no problem. We have slow courts, no problem. Let’s sometimes make fast balls and fast courts. Fast courts do exist. Fast balls, I don’t think they exist anymore,” he said.

“And that’s a problem for some players. So when some players go down the rankings and we’re like, upset, upset, upset. No, there is a real reason for this.”

 

 

 

 

Some players, like Stefanos Tsitsipas, have reacted to the introduction of slow balls by making some drastic changes, like switching their equipment. Tsitsipas recently changed his racket, using a blacked-out-framed Babolat instead of his previous Wilson, and immediately won the title in Dubai as a result.

Medvedev describes himself as someone who is “resistant to change,” but admits he has tinkered with strings and some specs to his racquet in the past in an attempt to adapt to the new conditions on tour.

He remains convinced he can get back to winning ways with these balls in play, but it remains a work in progress.

“In 2023, the balls were already like this and I managed to win, what was it, four out of five tournaments. So, I can do it. I need a lot of confidence. I need a lot of mental toughness, which maybe sometimes I didn’t have lately,” he said.

“But I can do it. This, I’m sure. What I always said, this put some disadvantages to my game because I know my strong sides. It kind of keeps my strong sides but makes my weak sides worse, the slow balls.

“Some other guys, it advantages them. It’s no problem to have it sometimes. I would love it 50/50. Sometimes fast balls, sometimes slow balls. But it’s not the case right now. I did already try many different things: racket, strings, whatever. Some worked, but then the other tournament they don’t work.”

Medvedev feels he has played many close matches this year and not finding his best at the most important moments is what cost him dearly. He is certain those slim margins will swing his way sooner or later.

“When I play good, I’m one of the best in the world and I want to try to find it again,” he said.

Edging closer to the 30-and-over club, Medvedev maintains he is as hungry as ever to contend with the world’s best.

He said the love of competition is what drives him the most, and it is something that has never waned.

“I like to compete. A lot of things we as tennis players do, you know, I just came from the lounge and there, I see like three tables playing cards and they all want to win. And that’s how we are,” he said.

“We play games, someone on the phone, PlayStation, cards. Even when I have a car trip, if it’s more than three, four hours, we try to find games to play when you are in the car, you know, let’s count, I don’t know, yellow cars, whatever.

“So, for me, it’s about competition. I like to compete. I like to win. I miss it a little bit and I’m trying my best to find it back.”


Nojum Al-Riyadh and Jeddah Hockey crowned champions in Saudi Western Region hockey tournaments

Updated 18 May 2025
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Nojum Al-Riyadh and Jeddah Hockey crowned champions in Saudi Western Region hockey tournaments

  • A total of 65 players participated, competing in 14 matches and scoring 92 goals across the two-day event

JEDDAH: Jeddah Hockey claimed the 2025 Western Region Men’s Hockey Championship title and Nojum Al-Riyadh won the third Women’s Hockey Championship in Jeddah over the weekend.

Held from May 16 to 17 at the indoor sports hall of Al-Ahli Saudi Club, the tournaments brought together four teams each in the men’s and women’s categories.

A total of 65 players participated, competing in 14 matches and scoring 92 goals across the two-day event.

In the women’s competition, Nojum Al-Riyadh delivered a dominant performance to lift the championship trophy and claim gold medals.

Tamayouz finished as runners-up, earning silver medals, while Fatayat Althahab secured third place and bronze medals.

The tournament also recognized standout individual performances. Kaira Angrier of Nojum Al-Riyadh was named Best Player, Angelios Camiloni of Fatayat Althahab took the Top Scorer award, and Manal Abdul-Samad of Tamayouz was awarded Best Goalkeeper.

In the men’s championship, Jeddah Hockey emerged victorious, defeating Mustaqbal Jeddah in the final to win the title and gold medals. Mustaqbal Jeddah settled for silver, while Royal finished third to claim the bronze.

Among the men’s individual accolades, Adnan Mutlaq of Mustaqbal Jeddah was named Best Player, Rehan Afzal of Jeddah Hockey took the Top Scorer award, and his teammate Sajid Yaqoub earned Best Goalkeeper honors.


Sharjah FC win first Asian title with dramatic victory in Singapore

Updated 18 May 2025
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Sharjah FC win first Asian title with dramatic victory in Singapore

  • UAE side won it in the 97th minute through a piece of Meloni magic

SINGAPORE: Sharjah beat Lion City Sailors 2-1 on Sunday to win the AFC Champions League Two title in dramatic fashion.

A second half goal from Firas Ben Larbi looked to have been enough to give the team from the UAE a first continental title at the Singapore home of their opponents. Yet Maxime Lestienne’s injury time equaliser appeared likely to send the game into extra-time before the impressive Marcus Meloni won it in the 97th minute.

It was the end of a long run to the final for Cosmin Olaroiu, who now leaves the club to take charge of the UAE national team with a 22nd title as a coach, and his men and it was a hard-fought victory in front of 10,000 fans at the Bishan Stadium.

Lion City had the best chances of the first half and the home fans thought that the deadlock had been broken after 35 minutes. Rui Pires found Diego Costa on the left corner of the area and the Portuguese star controlled the ball and then, in the same motion, fired a low shot that came back off the post.

One of the visitors’ best moments came in added time at the end of the first half. David Petrovic curled a dangerous cross into the area from the left but Luanzinho’s header was just a little too high and a little too wide.

Midway through the second half Sharjah should have taken the lead. Ousmane Camara rose high at the near post to meet a corner from Meloni but headed just wide with the goal at his mercy. Seconds later, Luanzinho fired into the side-netting. Soon after that, Ben Larbi had the ball in the net, although the Tunisian was clearly offside.

Then with 16 minutes remaining Sharjah took the lead to the delight of a sizeable contingent of fans in red and white. Khaled Ibrahim timed his run on the right side of the area perfectly to put the ball across the face of goal for Ben Larbi to tap home from close range.

Ten minutes later, Sharjah almost extended their lead. Meloni’s clever free kick from the right was blocked by Izwan Mahbud and Cho Yu-min, quick to the rebound, headed over from close range.

The hosts pushed forward in search of an equaliser and while they had chances, Sharjah looked fairly comfortable. Then just after 11 minutes added time had been signalled, it was all square. Costa’s pass found its way to Lestienne in space in the area, and the Belgian fired home.

As all prepared themselves for extra time, Sharjah won it in the 97th minute through a piece of Meloni magic. The Brazilian-born midfielder had possession on the left of a crowded area, made room for himself and then curled a perfect shot from a tight angle into the opposite corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any final.

There were some scary moments as the Sailors threw everything forward but this time, Sharjah held on and celebrated in front of their delirious travelling fans.

“It means a lot for us, the country and the fans and we worked so hard for this,” Meloni said. “The final was like the rest of the competition. I am happy to score the winning goal but this was for the team and the coach, who deserves it.”


Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins F1’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to end Piastri’s streak

Updated 18 May 2025
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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins F1’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to end Piastri’s streak

  • Dutch driver built a commanding lead which was wiped out when the safety car bundled the field back up
  • Verstappen held on to take his second win of the season, and first since last month’s Japanese Grand Prix

IMOLA, Italy: Max Verstappen gave his Formula 1 title defense a big boost with victory at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday after a daring overtake on standings leader Oscar Piastri at the start.

The Dutch driver built a commanding lead which was wiped out when the safety car bundled the field back up. He still held on to win ahead of Lando Norris, who overtook his McLaren teammate Piastri for second with five laps remaining.

Verstappen took his second win of the season, and first since last month’s Japanese Grand Prix, and denied Piastri — who finished third — what would have been his fourth win in a row.

Verstappen praised his Red Bull team’s “fantastic execution all round” as the team marked its 400th F1 race with a win.

“The start itself wasn’t particularly great, but I was still on the outside line, or basically the normal (racing) line, and I was like, ‘Well, I’m just going to try and send it round the outside,’ and it worked really well,” Verstappen said of his crucial overtake. “That, of course, unleashed our pace because once we were in the lead, the car was good.”

Norris’ late-race move on Piastri was almost a copy of Verstappen’s, though Norris had the advantage of being on fresher tires than his teammate.

“We had a good little battle at the end between Oscar and myself, which is always tense, but always good fun,” Norris said, admitting that Verstappen and Red Bull were “too good for us today.”

Piastri’s lead over Norris in the standings was cut to 13 points, with Verstappen nine behind Norris.

Hamilton bounces back

Lewis Hamilton recovered from 12th on the grid to finish fourth in his first race for Ferrari in Italy.

Hamilton profited from a late-race fight between his teammate Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon of Williams.

Albon complained Leclerc had pushed him off the track as they battled for fourth, and Hamilton passed both drivers before Ferrari eventually asked Leclerc to yield fifth to Albon.

George Russell was seventh for Mercedes, ahead of Carlos Sainz, Jr. in the second Williams. Isack Hadjar was ninth for Racing Bulls and Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda was 10th after starting last following a crash in qualifying.

An action-packed ‘farewell’ to Imola

Overtaking was expected to be rare in what could be F1’s last race for the foreseeable future at Imola. Instead, the Italian fans were treated to Verstappen’s spectacular move at the start and plenty of other overtakes.

The narrow, bumpy Imola track has been a favorite among drivers, who have relished its old-school challenge since it returned to the F1 schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, its status as Italy’s second race — only the United States also hosts more than one — makes its position vulnerable.

“If we don’t come back here, it is going to be a shame,” Piastri said Saturday.

Sunday’s race was the last under Imola’s current contract, and while it isn’t officially goodbye yet, there has been no word about next year.


Karachi beat Peshawar by 23 runs as PSL returns with glitzy ceremony

Updated 18 May 2025
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Karachi beat Peshawar by 23 runs as PSL returns with glitzy ceremony

  • Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam scores 94 runs from 49 balls in Zalmi’s chase attempt 
  • Pop stars Sahir Ali Bagga and Asrar Shah enthralled fans as PSL returned after May 9 

ISLAMABAD: Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam’s 94-run innings came to naught as his team lost to Karachi Kings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium by 23 runs on Saturday, as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) marked its return with a glitzy ceremony. 

The PSL was suspended on May 9 due to hostilities between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan. However, as both countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced the league would resume on May 17. 

Kings captain David Warner led the scoreboard, scoring a fiery 86-run inning from 50 balls while James Vince smashed 72 runs from 42 deliveries. Khushdil Shah contributed with an impressive 43 runs from 15 balls as the Kings piled on 237-4 at the end of 20 overs. 

“Match 27 Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi,” the PCB said in a statement. “Karachi Kings won by 23 runs.”

Former Pakistan captain Azam scored 94 runs from 49 balls, hitting four sixes in his innings before he got run out. Explosive opener Saim Ayub provided Zalmi with a strong start, scoring 47 runs from 31 balls while Tom Kohler-Cadmore chipped in with 20 runs from 15 balls. 

PSL’s return after a week saw Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir watch the match live at the Rawalpindi stadium. 

Pakistani pop stars Sahir Ali Bagga and Asrar Shah performed to enthrall the audience and pay tribute to the country’s armed forces before fans enjoyed a spectacle of fireworks at the stadium. 


Journalism wins the Preakness two weeks after finishing 2nd in the Kentucky Derby

Updated 18 May 2025
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Journalism wins the Preakness two weeks after finishing 2nd in the Kentucky Derby

BALTIMORE: Journalism jostled with horses down the stretch, shrugged off the contact, burst through the lane and came from behind to win the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
The odds-on favorite was bumped by Goal Oriented near the quarter pole, and it looked like another second-place finish was coming two weeks after being the runner-up to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby. Journalism instead ran right by Gosger to give trainer Michael McCarthy his second win in a Triple Crown race.
“A lot of bouncing around there,” McCarthy said. “When I saw that, I kind of resigned myself to the fact it was another fantastic effort and maybe come up a little bit short. But it just goes to show the testament that this horse has. Couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Gosger was second by a half-length. Sandman was third and Bob Baffert-trained Goal Oriented fourth. Journalism went 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.37.
Umberto Rispoli became the first jockey from Italy to win any of the Triple Crown races.
“When I crossed the wire, the first things that comes up to my mind, it’s all of the 20 years of my career that pass in front of me,” Rispoli said. “I had to wait so long to be on a champion like that.”
Journalism handled the adversity and thrived on a warm day that dried out the track after torrential rain fell at Pimlico Race Course for much of the past week. Those conditions suited him better than the slop at Churchill Downs in the Derby
“This victory symbolizes so much about life,” co-owner Aaron Wellman said. “It took guts for Umberto Rispoli to power his way through a seemingly impossible hole getting side-swiped and threading the needle and powering on through. And it took guts from an incredible horse to somehow will his way to victory.”
Journalism paid $4 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show.
“He’s a remarkable horse,” Baffert said of Journalism. “I wanted to be on the lead and was behind horses. I knew  was intimidated. He’s never run that way. He ran well, but he’s still too green for that.”
Sovereignty did not take part after his owners and trainer Bill Mott decided to skip the Preakness, citing the two-week turnaround, and aimed for the Belmont on June 7. That made this a fifth time in seven years that the Preakness, for various reasons, was contested without a Triple Crown bid at stake.
But Journalism staked his claim for 3-year-old horse of the year by winning the $2 million American classic race run at the old Pimlico Race Course for the last time before it’s torn down and rebuilt. While work went on around him before the postrace news conference, Wellman asked, “Are they already tearing this place down?”
Not yet, and not before Journalism could add a memorable chapter by squeezing through the space he had to win.
“I still can’t realize what this horse did,” Rispoli said. “It’s all about him. It’s a pleasure and privilege to ride a horse like him.”
The Preakness is set to be held at nearby Laurel Park, between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., next year before a planned return to the new Pimlico in 2027. McCarthy raved about the history at the place known as “Old Hilltop” and still remembers where he was when Sunday Silence beat Easy Goer at the wire in 1989 in a fashion similar to how Journalism won this time.
“Things kind of come full circle,” McCarthy said. “I’m sad to see this place go, but we’ll try to get back here next year, whichever locale it’s at.”
Journalism is the first horse to win the Preakness after running in the Kentucky Derby since Mark Casse-trained War of Will in 2019. He is the first Derby runner-up to follow that up by winning the Preakness since Exaggerator in 2016.
Only two others from the 19 in the Derby participated in the Preakness: Casse’s Sandman and fellow Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas’ American Promise, who did not have the same positive response as Journalism.
“The best horse won,” Lukas said. “He finished beautifully.”
Lukas, the 89-year-old who has saddled the most horses in Preakness history, referred to McCarthy once this week as “the new guy.” This was just McCarthy’s second, and he’s 2 for 2 after Rombauer sprung the upset as an 11-1 long shot in 2021.
This one was more emotional, with McCarthy and his wife still displaced from their home by the Southern California wildfires.
“We’ll get back there,” McCarthy said. “Everybody will get back there. We’ll rebuild. This is for Altadena.”