Medvedev delivers parting shot to hostile Australian Open crowd (VIDEO)

Russian ace Daniil Medvedev was congratulatory to his opponent Rafael Nadal after their thrilling Australian Open final on Sunday – but the same perhaps could not be said for his feelings towards the Melbourne crowd after the Russian delivered a thinly-veiled dig towards the local fans in his post-match comments.

Medvedev was bested in a five-set thriller at the Rod Laver Arena as Spanish hero Nadal claimed a record 21st Grand Slam win, breaking the hearts of Russian tennis fans along the way. 

But Medvedev's journey to the final of the first Grand Slam final of the New Year was marked by repeated run-ins with the Aussie supporters, whom he at various times has branded as “disrespectful,” having “low IQs” and, in the final when supporters attempted to distract his second serves, “empty brains.”

The Russian ace, who has now lost two Australian Open finals in succession, was also met with jeers from the crowd after he appeared to sarcastically 'applaud' their support and in his post-match comments he thanked everyone from Nadal to his own wife and family – but appeared to deliberately omit any mention of the throngs of Australian tennis fans packed into the arena.

“I want to congratulate Rafa because what you did what was amazing... After the match I asked him - 'Are you tired?'” he said.

“The level was very high... you raised your level after two sets. Congrats, it was unbelievable, and congrats to your team, of course. 

“I want to thank two guys in my box... they were here all week... thanks for sharing this tough moment with me. Usually my wife is in the box, yeah, I think the TV is probably broken right now.

“To my sisters, my parents, I want to thank you for your support, if you are still watching, and I’m going to try to be better next time. Craig [Tiley], you’re an amazing tournament director and I hope you stay for at least 15 years.”

Read more

Disbelief as Nadal roars back to beat Medvedev in all-time classic

But the section of the speech often reserved for lip service towards the crowd was notably absent.

“Last but not least, I just wanted to thank my team again, thank you guys,” he said. 

Medvedev's backhanded insult created something of a stir online.

“Medvedev did not acknowledge the crowd at all. Correct move,” one fan noted.

“They gave him nothing. Not even polite applause - quite rude,” said another. 

"‘Last but not least, I’d just like to thank my team again.’ - A wonderfully petty f**k-you to the crowd by Daniil Medvedev,” wrote a third.

“The crowd is being s**t to Medvedev. You can't paint it any other way,” agreed another.