‘Sport is cruel’: Daniil Medvedev blows two set to love lead, makes history

History was made in several different ways in the 2024 Australian Open Final but for Daniil Medvedev, it made it all the more brutal.

That was heartbreaking for Daniil Medvedev. Photo by David GRAY / AFP

The tennis world has gone crazy for Jannik Sinner’s epic five-set comeback win in the Australian Open men’s final, coming from two-sets to love down claim a 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 triumph for his maiden grand slam title.

The 22-year-old rightfully earned all his plaudits after becoming the first Italian grand slam men’s champion since Adriano Panatta won the French Open in 1976.

Having not lost a set until his four-set semi-final win over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, there’s no doubt Sinner was the most dominant force in the tournament.

But spare a thought for runner up Daniil Medvedev.

The Russian world No. 3 went the hard way to make the Australian Open Final.

In a wild tournament, Medvedev survived three five setters on the way to the final, including winning his second round match against Emil Ruusuvuori and his semi-final over Alexander Zverev after going two-sets to love down before coming back.

The epic performance from Medvedev saw the 27-year-old on court for 24 hours and 17 minute of match time, eclipsing the all-time record.

The record was previously held by Carlos Alcaraz, who won the 2022 US Open after 23 hours and 40 minutes.

Sinner’s tally for the tournament ended up being 18 hours and 28 minutes, almost six hours less than his opponent.

So close to the trophy. Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP

As the match went on, the Channel 9 commentators began to comment on Medvedev fatiguing, an issue he had mentioned throughout the tournament after his second round match went four hours and 23 minutes and ended after 3.30am local time.

Another record Medvedev ticked off — most sets played in a grand slam in the Open Era.

He also became the first man to have lost two grand slam finals after leading two-sets to love, after he lost the 2022 decider against Rafael Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5.

In fact, it was the third Australian Open Medvedev has lost, while he’s now lost five of six grand slam finals appearances with his only triumph from the 2021 US Open.

“Just want to thank everyone it’s been honestly an amazing two weeks,” Medvedev said post-match.

“It always hurts to lose in the final, but probably being in the final is better than losing before so,” he added, earning a laugh from the crowd.

“I always want to win, but I guess I have to try harder next time, but I’m proud of myself and I’m going to try even harder next time.”

But while Medvedev appeared to brush the loss off, the tennis world believed it would be tough for the Russian to get over the loss.

Journalist Neil McMahon tweeted: “Jeezus sport is cruel. Just heartbreaking for Medvedev to endure this twice.”

Medvedev almost has enough AO plates to start a restaurant. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Body Serve Tennis Podcast commented after the match: “The Australian Open was played over 15 days.

“Daniil Medvedev was on court for more than one full day cumulatively.

“Becomes the first man to twice lose a final after leading two sets to love.

“Tennis is a gruelling and cruel sport.”

Co-host of the Murray Musing podcast Scott Barclay tweeted: “Daniil Medvedev becomes the first player to lose multiple major finals from two sets up which begs the question as to how the hell you come back from something nobody’s ever had to come back from?!”

*If* Daniil Medvedev loses this:

The OG “NextGen” generation (Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Zverev, etc) will have still won just *one* Slam between them…

…but will have blown a 2-0 sets lead in a Slam final *four* times.#AusOpen

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 28, 2024

I feel sorry for Medvedev though 😭 blowing a big lead in a huge event is only funny when it’s the Brisbane Broncos xx

— Nat Hanrahan (@nat_sinclair93) January 28, 2024

The exhaustion was real for Medvedev. Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

Aussie John Millman said there would “definitely be scar tissue” for Medvedev.

Lleyton Hewitt said Medvedev would be in a world of hurt.

“I don’t know how you could feel any worse than getting to a major final and leading 2-0 and losing,” Hewitt said on Channel 9.

“But if you factor in you spent the more time than anyone in a major along the way, talk about exponential pain, physical pain is real from Medvedev, the mental pain will be real too.

“It is more mentally how he recovers, couple of years ago losing 2-0 in the final against Rafael Nadal and now having that same situation.

“This was slightly different because of the fatigue he had faced throughout the whole tournament, so many five set matches.

“We forget in the second round there was nearly 4am so, you know his body clock was completely off from that second round for another couple of days.”