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A contrite Daniil Medvedev says he should never repeat his racquet rampage from last year’s Australian Open that damaged a net camera and contributed to an extraordinary $122,000 worth of fines.
The Russian firebrand, who rounded back into form late last year following an extended slump, was in a good mood after breezing past Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 6-3 in an impressive start to the new tennis season at the Brisbane International on Monday night.
Daniil Medvedev copped a big fine for smashing his racquet and breaking a net camera at last year’s Australian Open.Credit: Eddie Jim
Medvedev’s shock second-round five-set loss to emerging American Learner Tien at Melbourne Park almost 12 months ago was the three-time runner-up’s earliest exit in Australia for seven years.
His tally of fines came from separate incidents across his first- and second-round matches, including obliterating his racquet after furiously – and repeatedly – smashing it on the net after losing a point.
There was a break in play as tournament staff cleaned the mess and replaced the state-of-the-art camera. On top of Medvedev’s fines, the former world No.1 also had to foot the bill for the camera destruction.
However, Tennis Australia subsequently used the incident as part of its promotional video at the official Australian Open launch in October.
“Damn, they should reduce the fine then because promotion means money. I didn’t get paid for this,” a smirking Medvedev said after learning of the video.
“I thought it was a GoPro [camera]. It was not. It was a bit more expensive camera. I should not do it, but emotions are emotions, and sometimes if you make bad emotions, you pay for it. You pay fines, you pay for the camera.
“I was always someone who was capable to say, ‘Yeah, that was not right’, but at the same time, we cannot change the past. That happened, I paid for it, and I’m OK to pay for it. I didn’t go to court or something to appeal it, but I should not do it again – that is the only thing.”
Daniil Medvedev in action at the Brisbane International. Credit: Getty Images
Medvedev’s ranking tumbled last season from the top five to as low as 18 in September before rebounding to No.13. By the end of the year, he lost in the first round at the final three grand slams.
The 2021 US Open champion has typically saved his best for hard courts, and his three Australian Open finals came in a four-year span between 2021 and 2024, but he does not consider himself a major threat this time around.
“I think in a way, no, because I’m not seeded high, so I can get into a very tough draw early on,” Medvedev said.
“At the same time, when you are in the tournament, you play your best, no matter who you’ve got. Sometimes, there are upsets, and you can actually be, not seeded high, but then get a good draw or beat someone good and get a better draw, so you never know.
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“In terms of my chances, at this moment of my career, I am a little bit not any more the favourite guy to win everything – but I will try to as fast as possible again be this guy.”
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