Daniil Medvedev now shares the reason behind his iconic celebration at Indian Wells

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Daniil Medvedev enjoyed a solid week in Indian Wells as he begins to find his footing after a tough start to 2025.

The Russian number one endured several tough defeats during the early months of the ATP season, losing to lower-ranked opponents in Australia, Rotterdam, Marseille, and Dubai.

He looked to bounce back in Indian Wells, where he had finished as runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz in both 2023, and 2024.

Medvedev immediately found form in the Californian desert, breezing past Yunchaokete Bu, Alex Michelsen, and Tommy Paul, reaching the quarter-finals having dropped just ten games.

It was there that he met France’s Arthur Fils, who he beat in a three-set thriller, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 [9-7].

The 29-year-old couldn’t contain his excitement after the win, jumping around with joy after securing his place in the semis.

Medvedev’s celebration instantly went viral, as he now explains the reasons behind his memorable reaction.

Daniil Medvedev says his ‘adrenaline went through the roof’ before ‘crazy’ celebration at Indian Wells

Speaking in a roundtable discussion ahead of the Miami Open, Medvedev reflected on his win over Fils in California.

“The other day was crazy because you know why?” he said.

“He does second serve, I didn’t think he’s going to serve and volley because the match point before he made a great forehand.

“At the last moment I saw that he went to the net so I tried to make a good return to the feet, not really, he makes a good volley, so I run, didn’t even have the time to change the grip so I played with like a backhand grip on the forehand, I’m like whatever.

“I see that the ball goes here, so I was like the point is over, I was ready for 8-8, then I saw that he missed it.

“It was such a surprise.”

The world number eight then shared what went through his head when he finally secured the win over Fils.

“I lost a couple of close matches so my adrenaline just went through the roof,” said Medvedev.

“If I would make a winner I would be like ok, I would not be surprised [but] here I was like oh my god, again, I’m going to lose the match, then I saw [it was] out, I’m like ahhh!

“It was pretty funny.”

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker enjoyed listening to Medvedev speak about his win over Fils, taking to social media to share his thoughts.

“What a nice idea bringing the players together in a relaxed environment,” he said on X.

The Russian had hoped to celebrate once more in the semis but it wasn’t to be, as Medvedev lost to Holger Rune in straight sets, 5-7, 4-6.

Medvedev’s search for a maiden Indian Wells title will have to wait another year, as the 29-year-old now sets his sights on the Miami Open.

Is Daniil Medvedev the dark horse for the 2025 Miami Open title?

Medvedev last won a tour-level title in Rome, two years ago, and would no doubt love to get back to winning ways in Florida later this month.

He has enjoyed success at the tournament in his career to date, as he enjoys a higher win % in Miami than at any other Masters 1000 event.

The 29-year-old has consistently reached the latter stages of the Miami Open in recent years, with his best performance coming two years ago, when he lifted the title with a win over Jannik Sinner.

• 2024 – Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner
• 2023 – Beat Jannik Sinner in F
• 2022 – Lost in QF to Hubert Hurkacz
• 2021 – Lost in QF to Roberto Bautista Agut

He won’t have to worry about the Italian this time around, as Sinner serves his three-month tennis ban, but could be in line to face some of the sport’s best players in Florida.

A fourth-round clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas would no doubt get fans excited, as would a quarter-final matchup with 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic.

He’ll first focus on a second-round match-up against either Arthur Rinderknech or Jaume Munar later this week.