Medvedev made sure he got his after a runner-up finish to the Italian in Beijing.
Daniil Medvedev reached inside the oversized China Open trophy awarded to Jannik Sinner and retrieved a consolation prize, even though he had come in second to the Italian in Beijing.
But it turns out the former world No. 1 was only getting what belonged to him.
A clip from the trophy ceremony appeared to show Medvedev nabbing Sinner’s plushie as he stepped off of the podium for the ensuing photo opportunity, but fans in the comments were quick to clarify no actual theft had taken place.
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“Both Sinner and Medvedev received plush toys with their trophies,” wrote @hasanalkabeer. “During the photo both put their plushies in Sinners trophy so the plushy is out of the picture.
“After the photo was taken Medvedev took his out and walked away. 😄 nevertheless makes for a funny meme – but don’t hate on Medvedev for stealing!!!!”
If Medvedev really wanted to make a meme, he would have pulled a Jana Novotna from the 1997 Wimbledon Championships, when the fan favorite nabbed the Venus Rosewater Dish from good friend Martina Hingis to the delight of the All England Club crowd.
“I loved it here,” Medvedev said after the match, “As I said in the beginning of the tournament, the only tough part is that, because I went so far, I didn’t really have time to see Beijing. It’s most iconic places. That’s why I will come back. Who knows, maybe come back a little bit earlier before the tournament, or come back and if for whatever reason it doesn’t go well, have time. So, yeah, definitely will be back one day.”
Having split their two finals in 2023, might Medvedev be able to wrest more than a plushie from Sinner in their next championship match?
