OFF THE RAILS

Russian Tennis Star Smashes Camera in Australian Open Outburst

Daniil Medvedev received a warning for racket abuse.

Daniil Medvedev emerged victorious in an Australian Open match on Tuesday, but not without a signature outburst. The Russian tennis player repeatedly smacked a camera in the middle of the net with his racket out of frustration when he lost a point to Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej. Medvedev came out on top after five grueling sets, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. The chair umpire cited the Russian ace for racket abuse in the third set. “What I have to say is that the camera was very, very strong,” Medvedev joked in a press conference after the match. “My racket didn’t handle the damage, but the camera did.” The player said he was hoping the fine wouldn’t be too costly. “When I did it, I didn’t want to smash the camera to pieces. When I saw the racket I was like, ‘OK, time to get a new one I guess.’” Medvedev is set to face 19-year-old American Learnier Tien in the second round.