Daniil Medvedev one of the more sporting guys on tour, his response to Alexander Zverev was hilarious: Serena Williams' ex-coach

Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs has given her take on the recent controversy surrounding Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev.

The Round of 16 clash at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters marked Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev's 14th career meeting, and second this year. The late-night thriller delivered and then some, in terms of tennis as well as drama.

Medvedev ended up winning 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(7), but also produced some antics that bothered his opponen. In particular, the Russian opted for an untimely bathroom break in the third set, which enraged Zverev.

The Tokyo Olympic gold medalist made his displeasure known in a post-match press interview, calling his opponent one of “the most unfair players” in the world.

Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs has now called out Alexander Zverev and sided with Daniil Medvedev, who she thinks is more sporting than most players on tour.

“I don’t mind the "chippy-ness" but you know, be a little bit more self-aware. Like Zverev, to b*tch about Medvedev – I find Medvedev to be one of the more sporting guys on tour,” the Australian coach said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.

Stubbs admitted to being aware of Medvedev's mental tactics, but opined that they don’t take away from his sportsmanship.

“He carries on like a bit of an idiot when he is b*tching about the hard court not being a hard court. Maybe he is trying to get in the head of his opponent that way, but as far as his playing, the guy just plays,” she said.

The 52-year-old also denounced Alexander Zverev for his complaints, suggesting that the 26-year-old had only himself to blame for the defeat given that he had two match points.

“It was so funny that Zverev had his comments about that. It’s like, dude just admit it – you lost. You choked, ok? It’s the bottom line,” she remarked.

Rennae Stubbs also praised the 2021 US Open champion’s response to the situation, where he pointed out Zverev’s own list of misconducts.

“Medvedev, to come into the press conference the next day and be like, ‘Hold on a second. Let’s go through the litany of sh*t that Zverev has done.’ I just think it’s hilarious, and I’m here for it,” Williams’ former coach said.

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Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev placed in different halves at the 2023 Madrid Open

Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev at the 2023 Indian Wells

Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev collided in the quarterfinals and the pre-quarterfinals during the Masters events in Indian Wells and Monte-Carlo this year.

Zverev, whose campaign ended against Medvedev in both tournaments, will be pleased to avoid the 27-year-old in the early rounds at the on-going Masters 1000 in Madrid. The pair have been placed in opposite halves of the draw, meaning they can only meet in the final.

Seeded second and 13th respectively, Medvedev and Zverev have received a first-round bye and will commence their campaign in the second round. Zverev, a two-time Madrid Open champion, will be defending his runner-up finish at the event last year. Medvedev on the other hand has no points to defend, having skipped the tournament in 2022.