Hamad Medjedovic produced one of the standout moments of the Italian Open in Rome, overcoming both a tough opponent and a charged atmosphere to secure a memorable three-set victory over Joao Fonseca.
The Serbian, a former NextGen ATP Finals champion, lost the opening set but responded strongly to take control early in the decider, leading 4-1 as he appeared to be closing in on victory. However, Fonseca fought back under pressure, breaking twice and even saving a match point to level the set and push it into a tense finish.
With the crowd heavily backing the Brazilian, the atmosphere grew increasingly intense during the closing stages. At one point, Medjedovic gestured toward the chair umpire, asking for calm from the stands as he prepared to serve in a crucial moment.
Despite the momentum shift, Medjedovic held firm and finished strongly, winning 11 of the final 12 points to close out a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) victory.
After securing the win, the 22-year-old turned toward the crowd with a “sleep” gesture, a celebration widely associated with basketball star Stephen Curry, signaling the match was over. The reaction quickly became one of the tournament’s most talked-about moments.
Medjedovic, who has often spoken about his admiration for Novak Djokovic, later reflected on the hostile atmosphere, suggesting it ultimately helped him refocus after losing his lead.
He described the crowd as highly involved but implied their energy helped him reset mentally and regain control of the match.
The victory also carries added significance as it marks Medjedovic’s first progression into the third round of a Masters 1000 event. With several seeded players already eliminated from his section of the draw, his path in Rome has opened up significantly.
The performance reinforces his reputation as one of the tour’s rising young competitors, capable of handling pressure situations and delivering in high-intensity moments on the big stage.
