"Just when we thought Stefaniil was over- he brought back his best rivalry" - Tennis fans react to Daniil Medvedev's latest jibe at Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tennis fans were stunned by, but did not complain about Daniil Medvedev’s unexpected jibe at Stefanos Tsitsipas after the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships.

Daniil Medvedev lifted his 18th career title in Dubai on Saturday (March 4). In the final, the Russian defeated his compatriot and defending champion Andrey Rublev in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

During the trophy presentation, Medvedev made an interesting speech to commend his friend Rublev. He recalled Stefanos Tsitsipas’ comments during the 2022 ATP Finals about the World No. 6, where the Greek downplayed his loss to Rublev by stating that the Russian “prevailed with the few tools that he has.”

Daniil Medvedev recalled the incident after the final by remarking that the 24-year-old was wrong about Rublev, who is worthy of winning Grand Slams.

"I remember not long ago, one player said that he has just a few weapons, and I was reading this and I was like, ‘How can you say this?’" the former World No. 1 recalled.

"Andrey is one of the most skillful players on the tour, he just didn’t exploit fully his potential but I’m sure that he can win Grand Slams," he said during his ceremony speech.

The 2021 US Open champion further encouraged Rublev to defeat the World No. 3 many more times in his career.

"Hopefully he can beat this guy, who said it, many, many times, and I wish this for sure," Daniil Medvedev said about his rival Tsitsipas.

Tennis fans were taken by surprise by the unexpected renewal of the feud between Tsitsipas and Medvedev and shared their feelings on social media.

"Just when we thought Stefaniil was over- Danil brought back his best game and his best rivalry," one fan said.

"Medvedev and tsitsipas were acting way too nice around each other, im glad daniil brought back some drama to their relationship dynamic. I was missing it," another fan remarked.

Here are a few more reactions from fans:

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A brief history of the Daniil Medvedev – Stefanos Tsitsipas rivalry

Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Daniil Medvedev in their latest encounter at the 2022 ATP Finals

The rivalry between Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas began in the first round of the 2018 Miami Open, when the pair competed against each other for the first time. Their equation with each other was doomed from the get-go, as their match, which concluded in the Russian’s favor, ended with a fiery exchange that escalated quickly after the Greek allegedly called his opponent “Bullsh*t Russian.”

"Man, you better shut your f*ck up, okay?" Medvedev had lashed out in response. "Look at me ... He started it ... He's a small kid who doesn't know how to fight."

After the semifinals of the 2019 Shanghai Masters, Stefanos Tsitsipas called the eventual winner’s game “boring” after being handed a fifth straight loss in their rivalry.

"I don't mean to be rude at all, actually, at all, but it's just boring. It's boring. It's so boring that—I don't know," the Greek had said.

At the 2019 ATP Finals, the World No. 3 scored his first win over Medvedev and called it "a victory that I craved for a long time now".

During the semifinal clash at the 2022 Australian Open, the former World No. 1 continued with his war of words against Stefanos Tsitsipas, this time accusing his father of mid-match coaching, which was prohibited at the time.

"His father can talk every point? Bro, are you stupid? His father can talk every point?! ... Can his father talk every point?!" Medvedev yelled at the chair umpire.

The two rivals have faced off against each other 11 times on tour thus far, with the former World No. 1 winning seven of those, but losing their latest encounter at the 2022 ATP Finals.