‘Bit shocked’: Opponent’s reaction to Daniil Medvedev act as star awaits fine

Daniil Medvedev’s rival has weighed in on his on-court tantrum as a huge fine from tournament organisers appears headed his way.

New Australian Open cult hero Kasidit Samrej says he was “a bit shocked” by Daniil Medvedev’s dramatic on-court outburst as the world No.5 prepares for a hefty fine.

After giving up two set points to his Thai wildcard opponent and staring down the barrel of a 2-1 deficit in the third set, Medvedev repeatedly smashed his racquet into the net and damaged the camera at its base in an incident certain to incur the wrath of tournament organisers.

Medvedev on Wednesday faced a maximum fine of up to $80,000 for the act after he recovered to see off the world No.418 Samrej and reach the second round.

A sanction would most likely fall under the “abuse of racquets or equipment” category and was expected to be handed down before Medvedev’s second-round match against American teenager Learner Tien.

“Honestly, I hope (the fine is) not too big,” Medvedev said after winning in five sets.

“But what I have to say is that the camera was very, very strong because my racquet didn’t handle the damage, but the camera did.

“(The racquet) broke down, but there was not one piece going out from the camera … it was very strong, I was very surprised. When I did it, I didn’t want to smash the racquet in pieces.”

Samrej, 23, told reporters he’d “seen (Medvedev) before like this” but conceded the incident had disrupted his focus before he went on to win the third set and threaten one of Melbourne Park’s biggest boilovers.

“I’m a bit shocked, honestly. I lost two points after that. I tried to focus on myself again, and that’s the point that I came back (to win the set),” he said.

Thailand's Kasidit Samrej acknowledges the crowd after a stunning Australian Open debut in which he almost brought down last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev. Picture: Martin Keep / AFP

“Everything is new to me. The first time at Melbourne, first in Australia. I had to play at Rod Laver.

“I talked to my coach, he said to me, just try to focus on the ball, not focus on the stadium or something.

“That’s kind of helpful to me … I have to stay on my game.”

Samrej, who made his grand slam main draw debut after winning the Asia-Pacific wildcard playoff tournament, said he wanted to put tennis “back on the map” in Thailand.

“I want to bring Thai tennis back on the map. Tennis in Thailand is not that popular right now, (but) it’s getting famous again.

“I want to be the one who brings the tennis back.”

Originally published as ‘Bit shocked’: Opponent’s reaction to Daniil Medvedev act as star awaits fine