History-maker! Diego Dedura-Palomero triumphs in Munich 

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.

Read More: Who is Diego Dedura-Palomero? Meet Germany’s latest teenage star

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.

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The gesture definitely raised eyebrows, and the celebration was met with criticism on social media for being too excessive considering his opponent’s injury. Afterward, the German told press that it was “simply gratitude”.

“I would say I am quite religious. I believe in God and I think He helped me win today,” Dedura said according to TENNIS.de’s Emma Storey.

“I prayed for five minutes, and then I went out on court, took all my strength from Him, and then after the match, the gesture was simply gratitude.”

A week later in Madrid, Dedura was seen back in action as he faced Daniel Elahi Galan in the qualifying rounds at the ATP Masters 1000. And on an adjacent practice court, Shapovalov spotted him too.

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One social media clip showed Shapovalov seeming to poke fun at the teenager’s celebration and laughing with his team. The Canadian is seen drawing a cross on the clay and pretending to fall back onto it, before the camera pans over to Dedura’s match taking place just yards away.

Unfortunately for Dedura, it seems Shapovalov had the last laugh in Madrid. The 17-year-old’s trip to the Spanish capital was cut short after he fell to Galan 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-1 on Monday.

No. 29 seed Shapovalov, meanwhile, awaits either Aleksandar Vukic or Kei Nishikori in the second round after a bye.