Daniil Medvedev sent an emotional message to his family following his defeat to Jannik Sinner in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday.
Sinner won 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-3 to secure a first Grand Slam title of his career, producing one of his best performances in the process.
Medvedev was the better of the two men at the start and raced into a 2-0 lead.
But he found himself coming undone in the latter stages and Sinner capitalised to turn the match around and secure a maiden major.
Daniil Medvedev lost to Jannik Sinner in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday
GETTY
Sinner was emotional after his triumph, with the Italian clearly delighted at etching his name into the history books.
"First of all I want to congratulate Jannik because today you showed why you deserve it," he said.
"You fought to the end, you managed to raise your level. You and your team are doing an amazing job. Winning a lot of tournaments, a lot of finals.
"Hopefully this is not your last Grand Slam and hopefully I can get the next one if we play again in the final because this is three in a row now.
"I’ll hopefully try to do better next time but congrats because you deserve it.
"I want to thank my team for supporting me every day and every night.
"Dasha [his wife] and [daughter] Alisa if you are watching I am sorry I couldn’t make it today but I am going to try next time for you.
"Just want to thank everyone it’s been an amazing two weeks.
"It hurts to lose in the final but being in the final is better than losing before.
"I’m proud of myself and I’m going to try even harder next time."
While it was a painful day for Medvedev, it was a memorable occasion for Sinner.
And the Italian showed his class by praising his beaten rival while also reflecting on how much the triumph means to him.
"Hello everyone. First of all, Daniil congrats to you and your team for an amazing tournament," he said.
"We've played so many amazing finals together, but every match I find something where I can improve and you make me a much better player.
"Your effort has been awesome throughout the whole tournament and the hours off the court and also today, running for every ball, it is remarkable to see.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Daniil Medvedev congratulated Jannik Sinner following his remarkable triumph in the Australian Open final
GETTY
"I also hope you can lift the trophy here. I am sure you can so I wish you the best for the rest of the season."
He added: "I want to thank all the sponsors, ball kids, chair umpire, everyone who makes this event so good.
"It's the happiest Slam, it is a very nice place to be.
"In Europe there's snow and where my parents are it's -20C so it's better running in the sun here.
"Obviously it's a huge tournament for me, but I want to thank everyone for making this Slam so special.
Daniil Medvedev was beaten by Jannik Sinner in Sunday's pulsating Australian Open final
GETTY
"My team, everyone in the box and also watching from home who works with me. We are trying to get better every day.
"Even during the tournament we were trying to get stronger, trying to understand the situation a bit better so I am so glad to have you there supporting me and understanding me which sometimes is not easy because I am still a little but young. It is what it is.
"I just want to thank everyone. Most importantly the support has been crazy.
"You guys make me feel at home so thank you so much. It's a court with 15,000 people but it feels like much more so thank you so much."
