Daniil Medvedev cops massive fines after Australian Open meltdowns
Daniil Medvedev earned A$200,000 (roughly £102,000) for reaching the second round of the 2025 Australian Open, but most of that money will go back to organisers as he has been hit with a staggering fine for a couple of offences during his two matches.
The world No 5 enjoyed an explosive, but brief season-opening Grand Slam as he needed five sets to beat wildcard Kasidit Samrej in the first round before again going the distance against Learner Tien in the second round, this time losing.
Medvedev lost his temper during the third set of his match against world No 418 Samrej as he destroyed a camera that was fixed on the net. The former world No 1 took five swipes at the net and made contact with the camera, sending debris flying all over the court as he also broke his racket.
He went on to win the match a 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in three hours and eight minutes, but he knew a fine was coming, stating during the post-match press conference: “Honestly, I hope not too big.
“Probably, like, the fine is usually for breaking the racket, and the camera is going to cost some, but I don’t think GoPro is that expensive.
“What I have to say is the camera was very, very strong, because my racquet didn’t handle the damage, but the camera did. It broke down, but there was not one piece going out from the camera. Very strong. I was very surprised.
“When I did it, I didn’t want to smash the racket in pieces. When I saw the racket, I was, like, Okay, time to take a new one, I guess.”
To be fair, his first-round meltdown didn’t cost him an arm and a leg as he was fined A$16,000 (£8,100), especially when you consider the GoPro prices start from A$649.95 (£178).
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But Medvedev again crossed the line in the second round as he threw his racket on the court and it skidded across the floor. He also smashed a ball against the back wall and remonstrated with officials after being called for two foot faults.
He was beaten 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (8-9), 1-6, 7-6 (9-7) by American qualifier Tien with the match ending in the early hours of the next morning.
The 2021 US Open winner failed to attend the press conference and he was ultimately hit with an A$107,000 (£54,000) fine for his behaviour during and after the match against the American teenager, bring the total to A$122,000 (£62,000).
At least he will go home with A$78,000 (£40,000).
But it will still be pocket change for the 20-time ATP Tour singles title winner as he has earned US$45,126,978 (£23m) in career-prize money to date.
