Tennis Star Daniil Medvedev Hit With $7,000 Fine Following Monte Carlo Masters Meltdown

By Eppe Franklyne

The ATP Tour has officially confirmed that former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev has been fined 6,000 euros (approximately $7,000) for unsportsmanlike conduct. The penalty follows a dramatic sequence during his match at the Monte Carlo Masters last week, where the Russian star repeatedly smashed his racquet during a lopsided loss to Matteo Berrettini. The incident has once again put the spotlight on the temperamental nature of the current world number 10.

The breakdown occurred during a brutal 6-0, 6-0 defeat that lasted only 49 minutes. Struggles began early in the second set after Medvedev dropped his opening service game to fall behind 2-0. In a fit of frustration, he slammed his racquet near the baseline before throwing it toward a tarp at the back of the court. Not satisfied, he continued to strike the frame a total of seven times, eventually destroying it enough to stuff the remains into a courtside trash can while the crowd reacted with sarcastic cheers.

While the fine might seem significant, it is relatively small compared to the disciplinary actions Medvedev faced last year. He was previously penalized $76,000 at the Australian Open and $42,500 at the U.S. Open for similar emotional outbursts. Despite the fine, the 2021 U.S. Open champion still walked away with 45,520 euros in prize money from the tournament, having received a first-round bye.

The chair umpire issued a code violation immediately following the outburst, which the ATP Tour formally ratified this Monday. For the 30-year-old Russian, the loss and the subsequent fine mark a difficult period in his season as he struggles to maintain his composure on the clay courts of Monte Carlo.

Do you believe the current fines in professional tennis are high enough to discourage players from destroying their equipment on court?

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