US Open ace Taylor Fritz speaks out on Daniil Medvedev's wife overhearing 'cheating' claim
Taylor Fritz has responded after being asked about allegedly calling US Open rival Daniil Medvedev a cheat during a practice session together
Daniil Medvedev revealed that Taylor Fritz once accused him of “cheating” during a practice tennis session - but his US Open rival has since played down any frustrations on his part. Fritz said the incident between the pair at Wimbledon 2018 was “not that deep”, despite Medvedev’s wife claiming she heard him accuse the Russian of cheating.
Medvedev has reached the third round of the US Open, where he will face Flavio Cobolli on Saturday local time. Meanwhile, Fritz is already in the last-16 at his home Grand Slam, where he is set to face Casper Ruud.
World No. 5 Medvedev, who has been flying somewhat under the radar at this year’s US Open, regularly draws attention thanks to his quirky interviews. And the Russian did so again after beating Fabian Marozsan on Thursday, sharing a light-hearted anecdote during his post-match press conference.
Medvedev, 28, was asked if he had ever experienced cheating during a practice match with another player. And he opened up about the incident with Fritz six years ago, saying: “I have one funny story. I don't know if Taylor remembers it, Taylor Fritz. If he can tell it, you can ask him next press conference from his side.
“We played Wimbledon. It would probably be 2018 or '19. So long ago. We both were not where we are right now. Brutally honest, I don't want to cheat on practice, but you know, sometimes you don't see the ball.
“It's like a challenge. Today I asked to show replay, and the ball was so much in, and in my head it was really close. Okay, it happens. So we're playing, and I don't remember exactly what it was, but I called some out where I thought the ball was out.
“Then my wife - I think at the time she was even maybe a girlfriend to me - talks to me after the practice and says that he was talking to his coach and was, like, Damn this guy, he cheats all the time.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“I was so shocked because I really, especially on practice, I honestly don't really care if I win in practice set or lose. I always try to win, but whatever. To be honest, out of everyone on the tour I don't think anyone on practice wants to cheat. So he was, like, apparently not happy with me.”
World No. 12 Fritz has now responded after the question was put to him at his own presser. Responding to the claim that Medvedev's wife had overheard him make the 'cheating claim,' Fritz said: “Yeah, I heard about this. I don't fully remember it. I think if I said something... I feel like I remember that maybe he just gave me a bad call. I do it all the time.
“Like if someone makes a bad call in practice, I'll turn to my coach and be like ‘he just hooked me so bad there’ or ‘gave me such a bad call’. I don't really care, I know no one's trying to do it on purpose. I make a comment, like yeah, that was a really bad call.
“But if that happened, that's what happened. I wasn't -- I wasn't, like, 'Oh, he's cheating me so bad',” he added while smiling. “Definitely, it's not that deep.” Medvedev claims the pair have a “good relationship” now having come a long way since then, though they are still not "friends".
