Daniil Medvedev defeated Kasidit Samrej (6–2, 4–6, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2) in the first round of the Australian Open, but as you can tell, it was not all smooth sailing for the fifth ranked player in the world.
Medvedev won the first set, but lost the second set and was on his way to dropping the third when frustration took hold of the 28-year old Russian. He proceeded to smash his racket against the net, appearing to take specific aim at a small camera that must have captured his bad side one too many times.
Medvedev took two good swings and rendered it useless before heading back to his seat to retrvieve a racket that he hadn't yet destroyed.
An angry Daniil Medvedev takes out the net camera at the Australian Open.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 14, 2025
As seen and heard on the ESPN2 broadcast. 🎾😡🎥📺😵💫 pic.twitter.com/x1UyC4r0hX
Here's the animated version of that racket smash which was broadcast on the Australian Open YouTube page. According to the BBC, Tennis Australia is hoping to make the sport more accessable for kids and families with the animated broadcast. Plus, people can watch for free without any kind of subscription. It's just sometimes the cartoons lose their temper.
Medvedev takes anger out on the net animated #AusOpen: pic.twitter.com/lNhwdueoXN
— Zachary Cohen (@BettingOnX) January 14, 2025
As for Medvedev, this was just what the doctor ordered. He went on to win the final two sets with ease to avoid the upset at the hands of an unranked opponent with a career singles record of 3–7.
Medvedev has reached the final of the Australian Open in three of the last four years. After surviving the scare from Samrej, he's just five wins and who knows how many rackets from getting back.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Russia’s Daniil Medvedev Destroys Camera With His Racket During the Australian Open.
