World No.2 Daniil Medvedev jokingly pleaded with a tournament supervisor to disqualify him from the Italian Open, the latest in a string of disastrous performances from the Russian on clay courts.
Medvedev was beaten comfortably by Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev, 6-2, 6-4, meaning he's now won just one of his last nine matches on clay.
The 25-year-old has never won a match in Rome, losing in the opening round to Robin Haase in 2018 and Nick Kyrgios in 2019.
"I don't want to play here on this surface," he shouted during his loss to Karatsev.
"It's a rotten surface, how can I not swear? If you like to be in the mud like a dog, good for you."
Medvedev then told tournament supervisor Gerry Armstrong: "I don't want to be here.
"Gerry, please default me, it would be better for everybody."
Medvedev's struggles on clay have become something of a running joke in the sport, with the Russian having won just 11 of his 31 career matches on the surface.
Yet based on his current world ranking, he'd be the second seed for Roland Garros later this month, ahead of 13-time champion Rafael Nadal, who has lost just three matches in 16 years in Paris.
In complete contrast, Medvedev, a finalist at both the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open, has not advanced beyond the first round at Roland Garros in four appearances.
"I think my shots, my movement, and my physical appearance doesn't suit clay," Medvedev said last week.
"I play on hard courts or grass courts for for eight months in a row and then I have this clay court scene for two months. First week when I come on clay, I hate everything around me.
"Then I get used to it, and it starts to be better. The big thing that motivates me is that I know I am capable of winning matches."
Medvedev enjoyed a brief period of success on clay in 2019, reaching the final in Barcelona and the semi-finals in Monte Carlo, a run that included a three-set win over Novak Djokovic.
It's a clear sign that he has the game to compete on clay, if he can get the mental side right.
"Two years ago, I beat some really good guys, and so I know that I am capable," he said.
"[I] Just need to find this confidence and feeling which is tougher for me to find on clay than on hard courts."
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from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/roland-garros-daniil-medvedev-pleads-to-be-defaulted-as-clay-struggles-continue/83ac638e-d633-4efa-821d-2756da2d776e
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