Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev came up with a baffling analogy when trying to explain his shock Miami Open defeat to Hubert Hurkacz.
The US Open champion had breezed into the last eight in America, opening his campaign with a straight sets win over Andy Murray. He dispatched Pedro Martinez and Jenson Brooksby in the same manner to set up a clash with the Polish player.
But with the top seed poised to take back the world No 1 ranking from Novak Djokovic, Medvedev produced a lacklustre display. It was No 8 seed Hurkacz who took the first set after a tense tie-break [9-7], and then he was more comfortable in winning the second 6-3 to set up a final four clash with Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
The tournament display followed an underwhelming showing from Medvedev at Indian Wells, where he was beaten in the last 32 by Frenchman Gael Monfils. But having clearly struggled with the heat in Miami, his explanation afterwards proved a bizarre one.
"All the match I was not feeling my best," he claimed in his post-match press conference. "In the locker room, I was cramping quite a lot, so physically it was not easy.
“I was drinking a lot. But, there was a physio and the doctor. Again, they are not magicians, there's nothing they can do. So they just said, 'Drink.' The doctor gave me some more electrolytes and pills. I took it, drank a lot, went for a shower."
The advice seemingly didn't work though, with Medvedev adding: "I think it was good advice to stand up because I was like sitting down, really tired, and then suddenly every muscle just went cramp, cramp, cramp, cramp.
"I was like a fish on the sofa.” Regardless of that interesting comparison, the defeat represented another missed opportunity for the 26-year-old, who has failed to find his best form since being beaten in the final of the Australian Open by Rafael Nadal.
He'd already raised eyebrows during the contest, loudly rubbishing the balls being used. "Never ever advise anybody to buy this ball," he ranted. "It's a piece of garbage, you're just gonna lose your money."
His problems could soon be compounded by developments surrounding Wimbledon this year, with UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston announcing Russian and Belarusian players could be banned from SW19 unless they sign a declaration stating they do not support Vladimir Putin.
Athletes from both countries are already being made to compete under a neutral banner, with their national flags banned from events. It's a ruling that Medvedev has disputed.
“I hope that this measure will be temporary. I am waiting for the moment when we will be able to carry the flag again next to our names, of the Russian athletes," he said to Russian state government aligned media outlet RIA Novosti.
