Daniil Medvedev lost his temper once again. © APA/afp / MARTIN KEEP

Daniil Medvedev freaks out again

Tennis star Daniil Medvedev vented his frustration over his poor performance in the first round match of the Australian Open on a network camera.

14 January 2025

From: dl

In the third set against 23-year-old Kasidit Samrej (ATP 418) from Thailand, the fifth-seeded Russian hit the middle of the net, where the small camera was, five times with his racket. In the end, Medvedev won in five sets and thus avoided a disgrace.

"I have to say that the camera is very, very strong. The racket didn't take the damage, but the camera did," said the 2021 US Open winner afterwards: "It broke, but not a single piece fell out of the camera. I was very surprised." The 28-year-old was warned for the incident and will probably have to pay a fine. He hopes that the amount is not too high, said Medvedev, because he doesn't think such a camera is that expensive.

Medvedev reached the final last year after three five-set victories, but then lost to Jannik Sinner in five. "I know that I play better when I'm on the court longer," joked Medvedev on the court. "But seriously: In the second and third sets I couldn't touch a ball, he hit everything and I didn't know what to do. If he plays every match like that, his life could be good: money, girls, casino," the Russian jokes again.

"If he plays every match like this, his life can be good: money, girls, casino." Daniil Medvedev about his opponent from Thailand

Before that, however, he lost his temper just before falling behind 1:2 in sets. He destroyed the net camera - and his racket - with five precise shots. In addition to the obligatory warning, this will result in a hefty fine for Medvedev, who incidentally became a father for the second time shortly before the tournament.

That's what else happened

Taylor Fritz had it much easier against fellow American Jenson Brooksby. The finalist of last year's US Open and ATP finals only lost five games. "I'm super happy with how the match went. It's never easy to play the first match in a Slam because you're nervous," admitted Fritz. What else happened? Lorenzo Musetti (ATP 15) won the Italian duel against Matteo Arnaldi (3) in four sets. Lorenzo Sonego eliminated Stan Wawrinka and Matteo Berrettini Cameron Norrie - also both in four sets.