The Australian Open got off to a dramatic start with Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev destroying a camera and racket in a mid-match outburst during the event's opening contest on Tuesday.
Medvedev, ranked 5th in the world, struggled against No. 418, Kasidit Samrej from Thailand in the tense five-set match. Eventually Medvedev secured a victory at 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1 and 6-2, but his emotions boiled over at the end of the third set when Samrej secured a 2-1 lead after a lucky net-cord shot forced Medvedev off balance, leading to a cross-court winner.
Medvedev struck a small camera attached to the net, destroying both the equipment and his racket. The outburst earned him a warning from the chair umpire for racket abuse.
Despite the incident, the 2021 US Open champion regained his composure, dominating the final two sets to avoid a shocking upset.
After the match, Medvedev praised his opponent's unexpected performance, joking, "If he plays like this every match, his life can be good—money, girls, casino, whatever."
Medvedev, a three-time Australian Open finalist and last year's runner-up, now advances to face 19-year-old American Learner Tien in the second round.
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