Daniil Medvedev called umpire a ‘small cat’ in one of tennis’ most bizarre outbursts
Elite sports bring high stakes when it comes to competing on the big stage.
Tempers can flare and emotions can run high as athletes compete for the biggest prizes on offer.
Tennis in particular is a true test of physical and mental endurance, with fizzing shots firing from all angles.
For Daniil Medvedev, one Australian Open match in 2022 saw him confront an umpire in bizarre fashion.
Although he was not expletive towards the official, his comments after a fiery outburst were unusual to say the least.
Medvedev was facing Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals in Melbourne when during the clash the Russian appeared to be unhappy with his Greek opponent's Dad.
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Tsitsipas' father Apostolos was adjudged to be giving him on-court instructions from the stands, something that is prohibited.
Medvedev won the first set and just before he went on to lose the second, the cheeky tactics appeared to get the better of him.
Following a crucial point, he sat down in his chair in anger and decided to blast his frustrations at umpire Jaume Campistol.
"His father can talk every point? Bro, are you stupid? His father can talk every point? His father can talk every point?! His father can talk every point?!"
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He continued: "Will you answer my question?! Can you answer my question please? Can his father talk every point?"
Campistol then replied, but Medvedev was clearly not happy with his response as he added: "Oh my god you are so bad man.
"How can you be so bad in the semi-final of a Grand Slam? Look at me, I'm talking to you!"
Tsitsipas then won the second set and afterwards, Medvedev opted to continue to vent his anger towards the umpire.
After suggesting that a court violation should be imposed, he said: "If you don't, you are a, how can I call it, a small cat."
Such an outburst appeared to do the trick as Tsitsipas was later given a warning for receiving coaching from his dad.
Medvedev also went on to win the match 7-6 4-6 6-4 6-1 to take him to the final against Rafael Nadal, which he went on to lose despite leading by two sets.
The Russian also apologised to Campistol and shook his hand after aiming such strong words towards him.
Some fans think it was lost in translation or was Medvedev's way of avoiding calling the official a p***y.
But that's not what he meant at all as he explained afterwards. “I was definitely out of my mind, if we can say like this. Like, I was not controlling myself anymore about anything.
"And that’s actually why I’m really happy to win, because many matches like this I would go on just to, you know, to do mistakes, because you lose your concentration a lot when you get in this heat of the moment things.”
After a ban on Russian and Belarusian players was lifted by organisers, Medvedev is set to compete at Wimbledon this year.
Umpires face a tough job on the side of the court and should they face similar outbursts, then it'll only become tougher for them as a Grand Slam is on the line.