By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday, January 18, 2025
Daniil Medvedev faced a challenging Australian Open this year, marking a disappointing chapter in his career. The seasoned competitor, a three-time finalist, suffered his earliest defeat in Melbourne after being ousted in the second round by a talented 19-year-old qualifier.
Compounding his troubles, Medvedev was slapped with a hefty $76,000 fine for two infractions. The situation worsened as he faces potential further penalties for damaging a camera during his first-round victory against the World No. 418, Kasidit Samrej.
Camera 1️⃣-0️⃣ Racquet
Daniil Medvedev certainly discovered the resilience of the net camera! 😲 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Sbbx3SmHve
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 14, 2025
Medvedev’s penalties included a $10,000 fine for infractions during his first-round match, alongside another $66,000 in fines accumulated during his surprising exit against Tien, which notably included a penalty for neglecting his mandatory post-match press conference.
After his opening match, Medvedev expressed his hope that the fines would not be excessively steep.
“I hope not too big, because probably, the fine is usually for breaking the racquet, and the camera is going to cost some, but I don’t think Go Pro is that expensive,” he remarked humorously. “What I discovered is that the camera was incredibly robust, as my racquet couldn’t withstand the impact.”
As of now, the extra cost for repairing or replacing the net camera remains uncertain.