Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev made headlines during his opening round match at the Australian Open this year. The world No. 5 faced off against Thailand's Kasidit Samrej, ranked 418th in the world, in a challenging five-set battle.
During a crucial moment in the match, Medvedev's frustration peaked when Samrej's shot clipped the net, causing Medvedev to sprint for the ball but ultimately lose the point. In a fit of anger, Medvedev smashed a camera attached to the net with his racket, resulting in a warning for racket abuse from the chair umpire.
Despite losing the third set to Samrej, the 2021 US Open champion managed to regain his composure and secure a hard-fought victory in five sets. In a post-match interview, Medvedev praised his opponent's performance, jokingly suggesting that if Samrej could maintain such a high level of play consistently, he could enjoy a successful life.
Looking ahead, Medvedev is set to face 19-year-old American player Learner Tien in the second round of the tournament. As a three-time finalist and last year's runner-up at the Australian Open, Medvedev will aim to continue his quest for the title amidst the intense competition.
