Daniil Medvedev wins ATP Finals, cut off during victory speech

Tennis hothead Daniil Medvedev was cut off repeatedly during the trophy presentation following his monster ATP Finals victory.

Daniil Medvedev of Russia lifts the trophy.

Russian star Daniil Medvedev was cut off repeatedly during his victory speech following an epic ATP Tour Finals triumph in London.

Medvedev came from behind to beat US Open champion Dominic Thiem in a gruelling encounter and win the biggest title of his career on Monday morning (AEDT).

However, the win was briefly soured when he was given the hurry-up by the master of ceremonies.

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Both players were rushed through their speeches after accepting their trophies with Thiem also cut off when a stadium announcer interrupted while music played to welcome Medvedev to the microphone.

The weird moment appeared to sum up the turbulent tennis season during the COVID-impacted year.

Medvedev thanked his team and family for their support during “life in the bubble”.

“It’s not easy now with COVID and my family, everyone who supports me in my team and all the messages, thanks a lot for your support guys,” he said.

That was when the presenter tried to interject.

Medvedev continued anyway, going on to thank everyone down to the hotel staff that have looked after players in their isolation.

Daniil Medvedev was red hot in London.

“Yeah, also I wanted to say thanks to all the organisers and to Dominic. His speech was very fast, so we are both very happy with everything that’s happened here,” he said.

“When interrupted again, Medvedev continued: “And last, but not least, sorry, I always said if here in London it would be an amazing story for the tournament here for 11 years that the first champion would be Russian and the last champion would be Russian too.”

Medvedev was referring to countryman Nikolai Davydenko’s win in the first ATP Tour Finals staged in London in 2009. The tournament is moving to Turin, Italy in 2021.

The speech fiasco was described as “ridiculous” by tennis reporter Jose Morgado on Twitter.

New York Times’ tens reporter Ben Rothenberg was also less than impressed.

“Both players getting cut off mid-speech in the trophy ceremony feels like a fittingly unsatisfying end to this weird-ass season of tennis,” Rothenberg wrote on Twitter.

“The emcee tried to cut off Medvedev several more times once he resumed. The heck is the rush? Nobody is playing tennis again for a long time.”

It couldn’t wipe the smile off medvedev’s face after he charged to his first Finals triumph.

The Russian fourth seed was second best for large periods at the empty O2 Arena but found a way back into the contest and prevailed 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.

Medvedev, who beat five-time champion Novak Djokovic and world number two Rafael Nadal earlier in the week, is the first player to sweep the top three players in the rankings at the season finale.

The giant Russian, 24, has now won 10 consecutive matches following his title earlier this month at the Paris Masters and his victory will taste sweet a year after a winless debut in London.

But it is a painful defeat for Thiem, who also lost in the final last year. “What a match,” said Medvedev. “One of my best victories, two hours and 42 minutes, three sets against an amazing player.

“Dominic, congratulations already for what you achieved in your career. Your name is already in the history of tennis books.

“It is amazing. You won a Grand Slam this year. You are playing unbelievable. I hope we are going to have many more matches to come on the big occasions like this.”

— with AFP

Originally published as Daniil Medvedev wins ATP Finals, cut off during victory speech