Daniil Medvedev fined $76,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct at Australian Open

Daniil Medvedev faced significant penalties at the Australian Open, losing a substantial portion of his prize money due to unsportsmanlike conduct, including a fiery racket-smashing episode during the tournament's opening rounds.

The 28-year-old Russian let his frustration boil over in his first-round match against Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej, striking his racket against the net five times. Despite the outburst, Medvedev secured a victory in the match.

In his second-round clash against American Learner Tien, Medvedev's temper flared again. The 2021 U.S. Open champion earned a point penalty after throwing his racket toward the sideline during a grueling five-set loss. Adding to the controversy, he failed to attend the mandatory post-match press conference.

These incidents led Australian Open organizers to impose a combined fine of $76,000 on Medvedev. The penalty significantly cut into his earnings from the tournament, where players advancing to the second round receive approximately $123,000.

Medvedev, who has amassed over $45 million in career prize money, remains one of tennis’s top competitors. However, his recent behavior has sparked debate about player conduct and the consequences of on-court frustration.

SportsLigue