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Daniil Medvedev issues viral message to ‘small cat’ umpire, fans have a field day

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Daniil Medvedev hilariously wished “a peaceful retirement” to Jaume Campistil, the same chair umpire he once screamed at and called “a small cat” during an explosive meltdown. 

If you remember well, the Russian tennis star was taking on Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2022 Australian Open semifinal when he became increasinly annoyed and frustrated by what he thought was the constant coaching from the Greek’s box. And since the 28-year-old thought that Campistol was doing nothing about it, he made sure the Spanish umpire would hear it. 

“His father can talk every point? Bro, are you stupid? His father can talk every point? His father can talk every point?! His father can talk every point?!” Medvedev ranted. 

Then, the former world No. 1 demanded Tsitsipas to be handed a code violation or otherwise he would think of him in a certain way. 

“If you don’t, you are a – how can I call it – a small cat,” the Russian added. 

On Wednesday night, Medvedev took to X to recount the incident. It should be noted that there is no official confirmation or announcement that Campistol is planning to end his umpiring career. 

“Man a lot of fun memories on the tennis court (laughing emojis). Wishing you a peaceful retirement,” the 2021 US Open champion wrote. 

To no one’s surprise, the post drew numerous funny reactions. 

What Medvedev said about the incident afterward?

Following a stunning outburst that happened in the second set, the Russian lost that set but ultimately managed to regain his focus and complete a 7-6 (5) 4-6 6-4 6-1 win over Tsitsipas and make his second Australian Open final. 

When asked about it in his post-match presser, the 28-year-old funnily noted he knew why everyone laughed so hard at the situation before admitting that he was “definitely out of my mind” when it happened. 

“You guys are laughing, so I think we can say it was funny, but I was definitely out of my mind, I was not controlling myself anymore about anything, and that’s actually why I’m really happy to win, because many matches like this I would go on just to do mistakes, because you lose your concentration a lot when you get in this heat of the moment things. The next game, 15-40, started terrible, I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I’m just completely losing the fiber of this match’. I’m so happy that I managed to catch it really fast,” Medvedev explained. 

Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev© X screenshot

 

After ending on the winning side and cooling down his head, the former world No. 1 also claimed to reporters that he had regrets over the small cat incident. When making that statement, the Russian acknowledged that he may have been unhappy with Campistol that day but it didn’t change the fact that the Spanish umpire was probably trying his best that way. 

“I regret it all the time, because I don’t think it’s nice. I know that every referee is trying to do their best. But, yeah, when you are there, tennis, you know, we don’t fight with the fists, but tennis is a fight. It’s a one-on-one against another player. So I’m actually really respectful to players who almost never show their emotions because it’s tough. I can get really emotional. I have been working on it,” Medvedev added at the time.

“So many matches I handle it. I think if we look back at myself five years ago when I started playing, just started playing, there was less attention on me, but I was just insanely crazy. You know, I’m working on it. Helps me to win matches, I know. So I do regret it 100 per cent, but again, in the heat of the moment, I just lost it.”

Medvedev then suffered probably the most crushing defeat of his career

Two days after beating Tsitsipas, the current world No. 5 returned to the court to play against Rafael Nadal and he made a lightning start after winning the opening two sets. Early in the third set, the Russian also had three consecutive break points and it looked like he was cruising toward a straight-set win. But then, Medvedev didn’t convert those break points and the Spaniard went on to complete a stunning 2-6 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 comeback victory to claim the 2022 Australian Open.

Throughout the match, the crowd was heavily on Nadal’s side to the point that the 28-year-old felt they were constantly crossing the line. Later, a dejected Medvedev said “the kid stopped dreaming” after what happened in that final.

Earlier this year, the Russian was also up by two sets on Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open before losing in five sets.

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