Diego Dedura-Palomero stirred significant attention earlier this year when he marked his first ATP Tour win with a highly symbolic and controversial celebration. After Denis Shapovalov retired from their match at the BMW Open in Munich, Dedura-Palomero used his feet to draw a cross on the clay court and then lay down on it, mimicking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Dedura-Palomero later explained that he is “quite religious” and intended the gesture as an expression of gratitude. However, reactions were mixed. While some fans and commentators defended the 17-year-old’s emotional display, others criticized it as inappropriate—especially given the timing around Easter and the fact that his opponent had retired due to injury.
Months after a contentious Easter celebration intertwined with Denis Shapovalov’s unexpected victory, the tennis world has turned its attention once again to a rising and unconventional figure—17-year-old Diego Dedura.
He drew attention again after refusing to hit a second serve.
Here is the video.
Diego Dedura Palomero’s *absurd* second serve meltdown on Tuesday
byu/TAA_verymuch intennis
Diego Dedura-Palomero in 2025
At the moment ranked no.355 (career-high), Dedura-Palomero played his last match when he was overcome by world no.295 Arthur Gea 7-6(4) 6-1 in the 1st round of the Milan Challenger (draw).
This season the German has managed to achieve a compiled 17-18 record. Diego Dedura-Palomero’s most significant accomplishment of the current season was getting to the final in M15 Warmbad Villach.
