Daniil Medvedev Punches Court in Bizarre Outburst During Tough Vienna Open Match: “ATP Like It When People Hurt Themselves”

Daniil Medvedev came from a set down to eke out a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) win over Cameron Norrie in the second round of the Vienna Open on Thursday (October 29). The third seed will face Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in the quarterfinals.

During his match against the Brit, Medvedev, known for throwing tantrums when things don’t go his way, once again lost his cool. Earlier in the third set, emotions got the better of the Russian ace, and he let his frustrations out by repeatedly slapping the court.

When he was down 0-2, he slapped the court again. After losing another game, he bent down again and this time, punched the court. In clips that have now gone viral, the former World No.1 could be heard revealing the reason why he hit the court.

If you hurt yourself, at least you don’t get the fine. So, well… ATP like it when people hurt themselves a little bit, right?

"If you hurt yourself, at least you don’t get the fine. So well… they like it when people hurt themselves a little bit, right?" ​Medvedev never holds back 👀 https://t.co/Cm2RQemgtf

— Kalshi Tennis (@KalshiTen) October 29, 2026

Medvedev is chasing his fifth title of the season, following his wins in Brisbane, Dubai, Hangzhou, and Almaty. He also reached the final in Indian Wells, losing the match to Jannik Sinner.

Medvedev is a one-time champion in the Austrian capital, winning it in 2022 by defeating Denis Shapovalov. He also reached the final the following season, but Sinner ended his title defense.

Bradley Klahn calls Daniil Medvedev a magician

After a successful 2023 season (won five titles from nine finals), Daniil Medvedev suffered a slump in form in 2024 as he reached just two finals, losing both. His search for form continued in 2025, when he finally ended his title drought in Almaty.

But the 2026 season has been a topsy-turvy one for the former World No.1. Apart from the aforementioned four titles that he won, Medvedev also suffered defeats in the early rounds of quite a few tournaments, including in all four Grand Slams. He is now in contention for the ATP Finals as he sits fifth in the race to Turin.

And according to former player Bradley Klahn, there’s something special about Medvedev. He praised not only Medvedev’s game style but also his personality.

He’s a magician, right? You just have to sit back and enjoy the Medvedev experience. He’s a character on tour. He brings so much to the game because his game style is so different to the base game that you see from so many players right now. He is a problem-solver; I think he is one of the most intelligent, critical thinkers on court. How he adjusts his game is able to lull you into sleep, lull you out of your game, and keep the ball low and deep.

Bradley Klahn said on the Inside-In podcast

Klahn also believes there needs to be a player to challenge the dominance of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev. The American backed Medvedev for the same.

I would say he [Zverev] had arguably separated himself from the rest of the tiers just with his body of work. But you look at who is going to make up that 4-10, and there aren’t many guys – Medvedev is a Slam champion – but there aren’t many guys able to match up with that day in and day out. He’s been world No. 1 as well, so I think being able to rely on his pedigree in some of these matches and understand that he will find his way back.

Bradley Klahn added

Medvedev, apart from that lone Grand Slam win at the 2021 US Open, has also played five more finals at this level, last reaching the stage at the 2024 Australian Open, losing the match to Sinner. In Vienna, he is chasing the sixth ATP 500 title of his career.

Also read: Juan Carlos Ferrero Says His Relationship With Carlos Alcaraz Was ‘Not at All Paternal’