Medvedev: 'Indian Wells is a disgrace to tennis'

"This court is a disgrace to tennis," Medvedev told referee Renaud Lichtenstein after losing the first set to Zverev. "We should be banned from playing here. This damn court is a terrible disgrace to tennis. It's a shame to call this a hard court."

This is not the first time Medvedev has used heavy language to talk to the referee about the pitch. The same thing happened in the third round, when he got angry with referee Mohamed Lahyani after losing the second set to Ilya Ivashka. The ATP BNP Paribas Open - the tournament complained by Medvedev about the pitch - is unofficially considered the "5th Grand Slam", because of its large scale and professionalism in organization.

Just like against Ivashka, Medvedev played better after complaining about the pitch. He beat Zverev in three sets to reach the quarterfinals against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The Russian tennis player has won 17 consecutive matches in nearly a month.

"If you make me play on a court like this, I will allow myself to do whatever I want," Medvedev added to referee Lichtenstein, who reassured the Russian player in both English and French. .

When Mr. Lichtenstein persuaded Medvedev to focus on playing and told him that this was a standard hard court, the fifth seed replied: "No, no! This is not a hard court. I know what hard courts are like, I'm a court expert. hard".

The match against Zverev saw Medvedev's unbelievable comeback. After losing the first set 6-7, he entered the second set with an inhibited mood. Medvedev faced nine break-points in the first two games of the set, but saved all nine from losing the game. He then flipped his ankle in game six and spent nearly 10 minutes in medical care. On his return, Medvedev moved with difficulty, but played with determination and won the second set 7-6, before winning the third set 7-5.

"When I sprained my ankle, I thought less about the game and focused on the ankle," Medvedev said. "I try to play more actively and not run too much. That gives me more motivation and confidence in the intense game."

Along with Medvedev in the quarterfinals is number one Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard spent less effort, when opponent Jack Draper gave up at 2-6, 0-2. The quarterfinals to be determined in Indian Wells this year are Medvedev - Davidovich Fokina, Alcaraz - Felix Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz - Jannik Sinner and Frances Tiafoe - Cameron Norrie.