Daniil Medvedev destroys camera attached to net during tough Australian Open win

CNN
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Daniel Medvedev used his racket to smash a camera attached to the net during a difficult opening-round victory at this year’s Australian Open.

World no. 5 eventually beat Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej in five sets – 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 – but had become increasingly frustrated by an opponent ranked 418th in the world.

It all boiled over for Medvedev at the end of the third set, where Samrej served to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

During a tense point, Samrej was lucky when his shot hit the net, forcing Medvedev to change direction and sprint for the ball. The Russian star arrived in time, but now off balance he could do nothing about Samrej’s cross-court winner that followed.

When Samrej apologized for his lucky shot, Medvedev took out his frustration on a small camera placed in the center of the net, breaking both the camera and his racket in the outburst.

The chair umpire subsequently gave Medvedev a warning for racket abuse.

The 2021 US Open champion went on to drop the third set as Samrej, a wildcard for this tournament, took a step closer to the biggest win of his career on his debut at the grand slam event.

However, it was not to be for the 23-year-old, with Medvedev regaining his composure and claiming a tense five-set victory.

During his post-match interview on the court, Medvedev appeared to be in good spirits and did not mention his outburst at the end of the third set. Instead, he said how surprised he had been by the opponent’s level.

“If he plays like this every game, his life can be good – money, girls, casinos, whatever,” he joked. “I wish he could play like this every game.”

Medvedev, a three-time finalist and last year’s Australian Open runner-up, will now face 19-year-old American Learner Tien in the second round.