Marking his maiden Grand Slam title by mimicking a goal celebration from a football video game could not have been more Daniil Medvedev.
Those who didn’t play Fifa had no idea why Medvedev fell to the court, on his side like a dead fish, when he beat Novak Djokovic in their 2021 US Open final.
“Only legends will understand – what I did was L2+left,” he told the New York crowd.
Among the laughs were plenty of baffled looks. But this amusing and authentic reaction remains the prime example of why Medvedev is considered one of the most engaging players in the modern game.
It is also why many fans will be rooting for the 29-year-old Russian at this year’s US Open as he looks to get through one of the most testing periods of his career.
Despite dropping out of the world’s top 10, the inimitable Medvedev remains extremely popular.
With many athletes reluctant to show too much personality – although that has started to change in the social media era – Medvedev is seen as a breath of fresh air.
“I just try to be myself,” he told BBC Sport at Wimbledon last month.
“If some people find me interesting, I’m happy.
“Some people might think I’m boring, and that’s OK. I don’t have to be funny – it’s not an obligation.
“Being myself is the easiest way to be because if you try to act – or over-act – people will see through it and you will lose yourself.”
Earlier this year he was surprised by the ATP Tour presenting him with a book of positive comments from fans on social media.
One fan said he appealed because he “broke the mould” of how players act in front of the camera, while others highlighted his “natural” personality, humour and “charisma which nobody else can beat”.
Does Medvedev, who kept the gift with him as he travelled around tournaments this summer, agree with those sentiments?
“I think so,” he smiled. “I think my friends would describe me as a fun person to hang around and talk to.
“They can discuss serious things with me too. I’m an all-round person and I think all-round people have charisma.”
