"Low IQ": Medvedev beats Kyrgios then takes a swipe at unruly crowd
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Russian world number two Daniil Medvedev had a go at tennis fans after his four-set defeat of Australian star Nick Kyrgios.
Medvedev prevailed 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in front of a capacity crowd on Rod Laver Arena.
Medvedev did his best to block out the crowd's loud antics during the match, even when they were whipped into a frenzy by Kyrgios. However, Medvedev's poise broke post-match in interviews, taking issue with some people in the crowd for booing or cheering between serves when two-times Australian Open champion turned tennis presenter Jim Courier asked him how he kept his emotions in check.
"Sorry, I can't hear you," Medvedev said. "Show some respect for Jim Courier, he won here. Let him speak, please, if you respect somebody, at least respect Jim Courier."
Medvedev then further admonished the Melbourne Park crowd in an interview with Eurosport.
"Break point, second serve and people are cheering like you already made a double fault. That's just disappointing," he said.
"It's not everybody who is doing it but those who are doing it probably have a low IQ.
"It's not good for the game I think to do it, because probably people don't know, but when you're getting ready for the second serve, it's a tough moment."
Despite admitting the need for the crowd to observe etiquette at times, Kyrgios said he thought rowdy crowds were good for the evolution of the sport.
"I thought the atmosphere was awesome," Kyrgios said.
"You've got, like, you know, the most entertaining player playing in his home slam on Rod Laver, you'd expect the crowd to be like that.
Karl Stefanovic appeared to take issue with the Russian tennis star's comments, as he blasted Medvedev on the Today Show on Friday morning.
“Daniil Medvedev, my accountant has a better personality,” Karl said.
“Daniil Medvedev, he makes Ivan Lendl look like Beyonce. Daniil Medvedev, Terminator 4 had more facial expressions.”
He added: “Insulting the fans like that – they weren’t actually booing him. He misunderstood what was happening.”