Daniil Medvedev survived a scare at the Australian Open on Thursday. The world number 3, had to come back from two sets down to defeat the number 53 in the second round of the Australian Open. But more than the result the duration of the match and Medvedev’s dangerous act out of frustration during the match caught all the attention of the tennis world.
Medvedev made plenty of uncharacteristic errors in the initial stages of the match. The 27-year-old Russian was even seen throwing his racket at the bottles in front of his seating area out of frustration. Later on, fans came out in numbers to take a jibe at Medvedev for his uncanny act.
Was Daniil Medvedev in control of his racket?
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The Rod Laver Arena witnessed a bizarre act from the tennis superstar on Thursday. Daniil Medvedev had hit 51 winners to 63 unforced errors in that match. At one point he even had to change his racket. But how did the fans react to Medvedev’s way of expressing his frustration?
One of the fans said, “At what point do we ensure Medvedev doesn’t get away with these? Other players are smoked left right and centre for much less but he keeps getting a pass. Don’t know why TT dickrides this disgusting brat.“
At what point do we ensure Medvedev doesn't get away with these? Other players are smoked left right and centre for much less but he keeps getting a pass. Don't know why TT dickrides this disgusting brat.
In my opinion. https://t.co/6Qhi5cFG8x
— Carlos Alcaraz is the GOAT (@GoatCaraz) January 18, 2024
While the other questioned his control of the racket during the throw. He called him, “A f@cken nutcase” and asked to “Kick him out next time.“
Medvedev's tennis racket throw, was he controlling it?
No way.
A f@cken nutcase. Kick him out next time. https://t.co/lM7oKqQpnH— John Mesini (@JohnMesini83051) January 18, 2024
Another one laughed at it and asked the fans to imagine the consequences if this incident was done by Nick Kyrgios.
Hahaha imagine if @NickKyrgios did this . People would be asking for prison time and a lifetime ban from the sport . https://t.co/NYLvWfVREJ
— Chris (@Chris2Far86) January 18, 2024
Some of them highlighted that kids were right behind his chair when he did this. A slight here and there would’ve caused a major accident.
Should have been a default, there’s no way he’s controlling that throw, ball kids are right behind his chair.
— Milton (@MiltonsFootie) January 18, 2024
Few of them said, “He deserves more than just a warning.” The fans looked absolutely disappointed with Medvedev’s behaviour.
This deserves more then just a warning, I mean look at the kids in the background. Disappointed by this behavior from a champ
— Ammeen Akbarr Basha (@aminakbar03) January 18, 2024
But at the end of the day, he managed to end up on the winning side. Medvedev will now take on Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime in the last 16 on Saturday. What did he say after the match?
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Medvedev thanked the fans for staying late to witness his ‘epic performance’
The Australian Open has been yet again roasted for its inability to finish the match in time. On day 5, just four matches were played. This was one of those series changes that came up this year to avoid late-night finishes. But yesterday both the women’s matches lasted for a combined 6 hours. One of them even created a record of longest tie-break in Grand Slam’s history. The men took 9 lengthy sets in two matches to finally call it a day on Thursday.
Medvedev later on said, “Honestly guys, I would not be here. Thanks for staying. That was tough, tough, tough. If I came as a tennis fan, at 1 am I would have been like: ‘OK, let’s go home and catch the end of the match on the TV.’ I guess, thanks, guys. You are strong. Strong!”
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Medvedev could only make it to the third round this year. How far do you think the No. 3 can go this time?
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