Daniil Medvedev gives Jim Courier a “masterclass” on how to return serve during AO interview

After treating fans on Rod Laver Arena to an entertaining show during his fourth-round victory over Nuno Borges, Daniil Medvedev served up a return-of-serve “masterclass” in the post-match chat with Jim Courier.

The No. 3 seed took out the Portuguese player 6-3, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-1, ending his opponent’s historic quarterfinal bid. Instead, it’s Medvedev who advanced on Monday to face the big-serving No. 9 seed Hubert Hurkacz in the next round.

Perhaps Courier, a former four-time Grand Slam winner himself, read the scouting report on Hurkacz, because he was quick to ask Medvedev about the philosophy behind his trademark deep return position during their on-court interview.

“To be honest, kind of anyone could do it, but you need to practice,” Medvedev explained to Courier. “But what’s good from here, it’s very tough to hit it out. You can hit it pretty strong and many times you’re going to be surprised the way it goes in—you should try it!”

Things took a hilarious turn when Courier challenged Medvedev to get back on court and demonstrate the shot in question:

WATCH: "The best interview": Daniil Medvedev wows Jim Courier with 'how to return like Meddy' masterclass

Q: You’re one of the more unique characters in tennis. I’ve often wondered about your return of serve: It’s become so deep in the court, but when you started you didn’t start there... You’re a master of the return of serve.

Can you give us all a masterclass on the evolution of you return of serve? Would you mind walking back and showing us how you do this…?

MEDVEDEV: You called me ‘master’ of the return, but I don’t think so! My return from close [to the baseline] I don’t think is that good… For this, you ask Novak [Djokovic] or someone else.

And then at [some] moment, with my coach or even by myself… I was like, let’s do something different.

The next time I played someone who served big, I would go somewhere here. (Takes a few steps back.)

And then I would play someone who served even bigger, and I would go somewhere here. (Steps back even more.)

And then at one moment, I understood that I can actually play many guys like this… I just understood that’s where my return is the best, and I just started playing better.

The pair’s interview left fans on Rod Laver Arena cracking up—while on social media, player-turned-broadcast personalities applauded the banter.

“Jim unlocking new levels for the on court interview. Interactive!” Laura Robson commented on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, while Rennae Stubbs simply said: “If you don’t like Daniil Medvedev… There is something wrong with you!! He’s so awesome!!!!”

Medvedev was still in an upbeat mood during his post-match media duties, including a press conference where he was asked about his instantly viral chats with Courier.

“I love his questions. They're always different,” Medvedev said. “I wonder if he prepares them like the night before or just before. It's always fun talking to him.

“After the Margaret Court (Arena) interview, which I found maybe even funnier than today, I told him I hope that he likes interviewing me as much as I like being interviewed by him. It's a mutual connection.”