[Image: FMT]
Tennis star Daniil Medvedev lost his sh*t and used his racket to smash a camera attached to the net during a tricky opening-round win at this year’s Australian Open.
Despite beating Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej in five sets – 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 – the world No. 5 grew increasingly frustrated against his 418th-ranked opponent during the match, eventually boiling over in the third set when Samrej’s serve broke through to give the Thai player a 2-1 lead.
Samrej got lucky when his shot clipped the net, forcing Medvedev to change direction and sprint for the ball. The Russian star got there in time, but, now off balance, couldn’t do anything about Samrej’s cross-court winner that followed.
Samrej even apologised for the lucky shot, but his Russian opponent took to the net as if it was Ukrainian, smashing the camera and his racket to bits.
The umpire gave Medvedev a warning for racket abuse, but it seems he had vented his anger, and carried on with the match in a bit more gentlemanly fashion.
Speaking during his post-match interview on the court, Medvedev made no mention of the outburst but praised his opponent, saying he had been surprised by the level of his game.
“If he plays like this every match, his life can be good – money, girls, casino, whatever.”
Medvedev, a three-time finalist and last year’s runner-up at the Australian Open, will now face 19-year-old American player Learner Tien in the second round.
[Source: CNN]