It’s been a week since Diego Dedura’s over-the-top reaction to earning his first ATP victory via retirement was seen around the world, and his opponent Denis Shapovalov is still not over it.
The pair faced off at the BMW Open in Munich last Tuesday, with Shapovalov, the No. 2 seed, bowing out to Dedura, the 17-year-old Berlin native, after the second set. Trailing 6-7 (2), 0-3, the Canadian was forced to retire with an unspecified injury sending Dedura into the next round.
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The German was on cloud nine, and with good reason; He wasn’t even supposed to be playing after falling in the qualifying rounds, but had grabbed a last-minute main draw spot when Gael Monfils withdrew.
While the result thrilled German fans, it was his post-match reaction that quickly went viral. Dedura roared in celebration as he pumped his fists and fired up the crowd, before he drew a large cross on the clay with his feet, and then lay down on top of it with arms spread wide, crucifixion-style.
