Daniil Medvedev's psychologist Francisca Dauzet is the first to acknowledge that the Russian is prone to "certain mood swings," but believes there was an overreaction to his US Open outburst.
At the very start of the US Open, Medvedev made all the headlines after creating a viral six-minute drama. Battling to avoid a straight-set defeat to Benjamin Bonzi, the former world No. 1 lost it after a photographer stepped onto the court and the umpire decided to replay the point. The 29-year-old refused to play for the next several minutes, all while encouraging the crowd to boo the photographer and the umpire. Also, he smashed a racket.
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As if losing to Bonzi wasn't bad enough, Medvedev was also hit with a $42.5k fine. And needless to say, he was heavily criticized and scrutinized for his actions.
Dauzet suggests the public got some things mixed up
"I can say that I am surprised and not at the same time. Because he is not the first and only one to do this kind of thing. Tennis is a sport that provokes this kind of overreaction. Daniil is a bit used to certain mood swings and yes they can be caustic and unwelcome sometimes. His behavior annoys and also affects the public. We remember John McEnroe, for example, in his time who inspired similar feelings" Dauzet told Tennis Majors.
"Nevertheless, it seems important to me to clearly distinguish what is being commented on: the match fact about the stoppage, the racket breaking, what he says to the umpire? These are not the same facts. I have the impression that there was an amalgamation and that everything was put on the same level."
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In the same interview, Dauzet noted that Medvedev is "not a politically correct person," which means that he always speaks and acts the way he feels. However, she also noted that the Russian "meant no malice" and that the public "exaggerated" with their reaction.
Meanwhile, Medvedev is playing his first tournament since the US Open drama at this week's ATP 250 event in Hangzhou.
