Daniil Medvedev gave opinion on US Open rival who accused him of cheating – 'Not friends'

Daniil Medvedev confessed he and Taylor Fritz are still not on friendly termsfollowing a cheating dispute during a practice session. The tennis stars used to hit together in preparation for matches, calling their own lines.

However, what should have been a non-competitive practice session turned sour, potentially irreparably damaging their relationship, after Fritz accused Medvedev of making questionable calls. Any hope of them burying the hatchet was dashed at last year's US Open when the Russian admitted he was still not friends with the American Fritz.

When asked in a press conference if he had ever experienced cheating during practice, Medvedev shared in a post-match press conference: "I have one funny story. I don't know if Taylor remembers it, Taylor Fritz. If he can tell it, you can ask him next press conference from his side."

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He went on to say: "We played Wimbledon. It would be probably 2018 or '19. So long ago. We both were not where we are right now. Brutally honest, I don't want to cheat on practice, but you know, sometimes you don't see the ball.

"It's like a challenge. Today, I asked to show replay, and the ball was so much in, and in my head it was really close. Okay, it happens. So we're playing, and I don't remember exactly what it was, but I called some out where I thought the ball was out."

Medvedev's wife overheard Fritz accusing him of cheating. He said: "Then my wife – I think at the time she was even maybe a girlfriend to me – talks to me after the practice and says that he was talking to his coach and was, like, 'Damn this guy, he cheats all the time.'

"I was so shocked because I really, especially on practice, I honestly don't really care if I win in practice set or lose. I always try to win, but whatever. To be honest, out of everyone on the tour, I don't think anyone on practice wants to cheat. So he was, like, apparently not happy with me.

"At the time we didn't really speak to each other. So we were not like friends. We're still not friends, but I think we're in a good relationship."

Never one to shy away from controversy, Medvedev had an extraordinary outburst during his first-round defeat to Benjamin Bonziat this year's tournament.

The fiery 29-year-old was livid when, with Bonzi serving at 5-4 and advantage in the third set, a cameraman walked onto the court between the Frenchman's first and second serve, causing a brief delay that umpire Greg Allensworth deemed merited a retake of his first serve for Bonzi.

Medvedev immediately approached Allensworth to challenge the ruling and stirred up the jeering spectators, yelling: "Are you a man? Why are you shaking? He wants to go home guys, he doesn't like to be here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour."

Despite Medvedev returning to the baseline, he kept encouraging the crowd's reaction and it took over six minutes before Bonzi could finally serve, reports the Express. The former world No. 1 managed to claim that point, the set and the following one to claw his way back into the match.

However, Bonzi managed to repeat his Wimbledon triumph over Medvedev, who has now crashed out in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament for the third consecutive time.

Following the 6-3 7-5 6-7 (5) 0-6 6-4 loss, Medvedev blamed the spectators, stating: "What I say and what I do, in my head, I want to do worse, and I cannot because there are rules, because we're on a tennis court.

"So I just expressed my emotions, my unhappiness with the decision, and then the crowd did what they did without me asking them too much, and it was fun to witness."