The 25-year-old gave a shout out only gamers will understand
1 min read
On Sunday afternoon, Daniil Medvedev defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2021 US Open men’s singles championship. The win was historic in two senses: Medvedev won his first career Grand Slam title and Djokovic’s bid for history was spoiled in the process.
Djokovic entered the final having won 27 consecutive Grand Slam matches. He needed just one more to become the first man since 1969 to win all four majors — the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open — in the same year, known as the calendar-year Grand Slam.
Medvedev’s upset also shut down Djokovic’s chance (at least, this season) to overtake his rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, for the all-time record of Grand Slam singles titles. Now, Djokovic will finish out this tennis season still tied with his ‘Big Three’ competitors at 20 Grand Slam titles each.
After winning championship point, the 25-year-old Medvedev dropped to the ground. In shock? In disbelief? Well, yes, but there’s more to it than that, apparently.
It wasn’t quite the same as the signature ‘drop to the ground‘ celebration many tennis players do upon winning. It was a bit different. Medvedev gave an explanation as to what exactly his celebration was during the post-match trophy ceremony.
“Only legends will understand,” Medvedev prefaced. “What I did after the match is an L2 + Left. Thank you guys.”
What Medvedev appears to be referencing with his flop celebration is a move from the FIFA video game. If a FIFA player presses two buttons on the PlayStation controller (L2 and left), it will result in the exact same falling celebration Medvedev did after winning. So, Medvedev must also appreciate a little FIFA action in his free time. You have to wonder how long he was waiting to replicate this FIFA goal celebration for his real-life celebration once he won his first Grand Slam title.
