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0 When Daniil Medvedev unleashed an ace to seal his straight-sets win over local wildcard John Millman on Wednesday night, the two-time Australian Open finalist raised his shorts to show off his upper left leg.
He had a smirk on his face as he did so, before explaining the quirky move in an on-court interview with Jim Courier.
Medvedev said the match against Millman, in which a host of long rallies were contested, had him “pretty tired” in the first set, so revealing his leg was a light-hearted brag at his ability to withstand the challenge.
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But the former world No.1, who triumphed 7-5, 6-2, 6-2, also said he was having a chuckle at the striking celebration of Marton Fucsovics following the Hungarian’s win earlier on day three.
Fucsovics was topless as he clenched his fists and let out a powerful roar, revealing a supremely chiselled physique.
“That was kind of to show … how I also felt about probably a lot of people on social media,” Medvedev said after the Margaret Court Arena match.
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“Photos of Marton after his match … I think I’m just a little bit less muscles than him, so it was also to laugh about myself … I do think I have a little bit of muscles, but definitely not too much.”
Courier remarked that Fucsovics, who defeated South African Lloyd Harris in four sets, looked like Marvel superhero Thor.
Medvedev is unmistakable, so lean is the 26-year-old’s body.
“I’m not going to tell it here, but, like, I’m capable of doing weights, where if you see me, you won’t be able to believe I’m doing this,” Medvedev said in his press conference after beating Millman.
“In the way my muscles develop … I know it because I can run faster, stronger for longer time and not get as injured as I was in the beginning of my career.
“That was my goal with my physical coach. We worked really hard in the gym.
“The only thing that it won’t show on my body, but it was always like this.
Medvedev reflects after downing Millman
“I remember when I was 16 years old I was still practising in Russia at one moment, so it’s the age where you can kind of develop physically, and usually you can develop muscle … I think we did pretty much four sessions in the gym, real (muscular work) with protein shakes after.
“Literally, you can’t see anything. I become stronger, I know I become stronger. I can lift stronger weights. But looking in the mirror, nothing changes.
“So that’s just how I am. I like it.”
Medvedev, the tournament’s seventh seed, is set for a third-round clash with world No.31 Sebastian Korda — the American who lost to Novak Djokovic in the Adelaide International 1 men’s singles final last week.
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