Daniil Medvedev was booed for saying he wouldn't watch the women's Australian Open final due to dinner plans
AP Photo/Hamish Blair
- Daniil Medvedev is headed to the Australian Open final after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday.
- Medvedev said he wouldn't watch the women's final because the match would be during dinner.
- When the crowd booed him, Medvedev assured them that he was "gonna watch it" on his phone.
Tennis superstar Daniil Medvedev isn't exactly known as a crowd favorite.
And the world No. 2 didn't do himself any favors during his on-court interview Friday.
After Medvedev took down Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets to punch his ticket to Sunday's Australian Open final, the Russian was asked if he'd devote part of his day off on Saturday to watch the women's final between Australia native Ash Barty and American Danielle Collins.
"Depends what time they play," Medvedev responded.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
When the interviewer, former world No. 1 Jim Courier, informed Medvedev that the women's finalists are scheduled to take the court at 7:30 p.m. local time, the 25-year-old winced and scratched his head.
"I'm usually going to dinner at 8:15, so I'm gonna watch the beginning of the match..." Medvedev explained with a smirk and a chuckle, then trailed off as the crowd at Rod Laver Arena began to clamor.
"Come on, man," Courier said. "I'm trying to set you up to win this crowd over and you're just kicking it."
Fans then began booing the reigning US Open champion.
AP Photo/Hamish Blair
"I'm gonna watch it on my phone, guys!" Medvedev desperately assured the audience. "I'm gonna watch it."
The boos promptly turned to whistles and cheers.
Barty is the heavy favorite to win the championship in front of her home crowd just six months after winning Wimbledon for her second career Grand Slam title. Should she take down her American opponent, the world No. 1 will become the first Australian woman to win a Grand Slam on her home soil since 1978.
AP Photo/Tertius Pickard
No wonder the Aussies want Medvedev to tune in.
"I'm gonna watch it," he repeated, and the crowd roared. "Thanks, Jim."
Check out the entire interaction below: