Tech advancement finally brought on-court improvements in Dubai but, unfortunately for Daniil Medvedev, it’s fallen short of its merits. The ATP 500 event, a year after sensationally defaulting Andrey Rublev for allegedly swearing at a line judge, made good on their commitment to introduce a VAR-style video review system to avoid future mishaps this year. While ugly scenes marred the end of Rublev’s Dubai camp, several high-profile personalities including Coco Gauff’s ex-coach Brad Gilbert lamented the absence of Hawk-eye Live, the sports’ main live electronic line calling system. Despite listening to their pleas, Medvedev wasn’t happy after his calls for a video replay were unavailable.

Meddy has been searching for his rhythm to find fine form this year. The Russian star jetted off to Dubai where he commenced his campaign with a commanding straight-set win over Jan-Lennard Struff. He locked horns with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the successive round and made short business of the Frenchman in 82 minutes. However, he couldn’t surf past the contest without facing some trouble.

There was a moment in the match when Perricard came too close to the net, prompting Meddy to ask VAR to check whether the net camera recorded the French sensation touching the net. To his disappointment, he was made aware that the camera couldn’t determine if the 21-year-old had indeed touched the net. This incident later sparked a hilarious reaction from the former World No. 1. In his typical humorous style, Meddy asked the reporters during a post-match presser the point of having a net camera – costing $60,000 – if players couldn’t rely on it.

The Russian star reminisced: “In Australian Open, I got fined for $60,000 for the camera because it was actually not a GoPro, which I didn’t know. So I got a fine, like $60,000, which was a big amount, well, I can understand the rules are rules. But today happened that I don’t think he touched, but I was like we have the video review, well, if he touched, I win the point, I win the break, huge. So I’m like, okay, show it.”

He continued, “And there is this camera for $60,000 that doesn’t show it, so I’m like, what is it doing there? Basically, when I broke it in Australia, in my opinion, it should not even be there, it’s a net, don’t put the camera there in the net. Now I’m asking a question to everyone. What is this 60K camera doing there if it can not even show if he touched the net or not? Thank you.” And then, taking to X, he reshared the clip with the cheeky caption: “Refund 🎥?😉😝”

For those unaware, the 2021 US Open champion had previously smashed the net camera during his opening-round showcase against Kasidit Samrej in Melbourne, resulting in a hefty penalty. The Russian later addressed his controversial attack on the net camera after winning the match, saying: “Honestly, I hope not too big (the fine for breaking the camera) because 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.” 

But now, looking ahead, Meddy is focused on furthering his agenda in the Middle East – aiming for his season’s first title after having to bow out in Qatar just a few days ago.

Daniil Medvedev ‘happy with his level’ after reaching the last eight in Dubai

Daniil Mededvev cruised past a big serving Mpetshi Perricard to reach the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships for the third successive year. The former World No. 1 remained unbreakable against the 140 mph serves fired by the Frenchman and picked him off bit by bit in a dominating 6-4, 6-4 win.

Later, during an on-court interview, Meddy noted how he fenced the French player’s blasting serves. “You don’t have any time, so it’s pure reflexes. It makes it even easier, because if you don’t return it, you’re not even disappointed. There were some second serves I missed [however], and I was disappointed. You just try to do your best and I managed it pretty well today.”

He later expressed feeling content with his performance, saying, “It’s tactically easy, in a way, because you have to be strong on your [own] serve. I was very good on my serve, that helped. Then you can put pressure on his serve, try to guess or see something. I’m generally happy with my level.”

Next up, the Russian sensation will square off against Tallon Griekspoor in the last eight to inch a step closer to claiming his first title since his last ATP Masters 1000 win in Rome in 2023.