Boris Becker urges ‘hothead’ Daniil Medvedev to have more ‘control over himself’ after another meltdown at the Australian Open
Daniil Medvedev took out his frustration at the net camera during a five-set battle against No. 418 Kasidit Samrej.
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Daniil Medvedev, Boris Becker (Images via X, Sky Sports)
Daniil Medvedev suffered from a complete meltdown during his first-round Australian Open match against Kasidit Samrej, who became just the third Thai to play in men’s singles in a Grand Slam event in the Open Era. After this incident, tennis great Boris Becker urged the World No.5 to have control over himself.
Medvedev had smashed the net camera with his racket after losing a point during a crucial moment. After winning the first set and losing the next, he was down 5-3 in the third and Samrej was on the verge of winning that set and taking a lead.
During a rally, Samrej’s shot clipped the net and Medvedev had to dash toward the net to return, which he did but had no answer to the Thai ace’s next shot. It was then Medvedev took out his frustration by hitting the tiny camera attached to the net with his racket.
Shortly after his antics, he received a warning from the chair umpire. Although Medvedev lost the third set, he quickly regained focus and won the next two sets easily, and eventually the match 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 to reach the second round. Becker felt that such behavior from the 2021 US Open champion was not good for the tournament.
He just became a father for the second time, so he should have a little more control over himself. But that’s how we know him. He’s a hothead. It’s a lot of fun for us, but it’s not good for the tournament. I’m curious to see how much of a fine he’ll have to pay.
Boris Becker told Eurosport
Medvedev destroys racket and net camera in frustration pic.twitter.com/D92zvapWnU
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 14, 2025
Daniil Medvedev likely to face sanctions from ATP
Daniil Medvedev could face sanctions from the ATP because of his conduct during his match against Kasidit Samrej. The Russian, however, cracked a joke during the press conference when he recalled the incident. He said the camera was very strong and handled the damage which his racket didn’t do , and it surprised him.
Honestly, I hope it’s not too big, because the fine is usually for breaking the racket, and the camera is going to cost some, but I don’t think a GoPro is that expensive.
Daniil Medvedev said
Had Samrej won the match, he would have become the third lowest-ranked player to beat a Top 5 since 2000. Medvedev, who is a three-time finalist at Melbourne Park and was the runner-up last year, will next face America’s Learner Tien on Thursday (January 16).
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