Daniil Medvedev has been slugged a whopping A$65,000 for his notorious New York meltdown on the opening night of the US Open.
Four days after the 2021 US Open champion exited the tournament amid a blaze of controversy surrounding his antics against Benjamin Bonzi, it was confirmed that he would be penalised almost 40 per cent of his opening round purse of A$169,000.
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‘NO CLASS… NO EDUCATION’: Tennis’ worst loser explodes in fiery clash after US Open upset
Racquet demolished! BRUTAL Medvedev loss | 00:31
The former world No.1, who has endured a shocking year at major level by his usually high standards, sparked a furore after a bizarre incident in which a photographer walked onto the court between serves when Bonzi held match point in the third set.
After a delay of six minutes, in which Medvedev berated umpire Greg Allensworth for his decision to award Bonzi a first serve while whipping the crowd into a frenzy, proceeded a comeback from the Russian that ultimately fell short deep in the fifth set.
As Bonzi celebrated his success, the Russian sat in dejection on his chair before proceeding to obliterate his racquet with a stunning tantrum that had greats including Boris Becker suggesting Medvedev required professional help.
He was issued with a A$46,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct and a further A$19,000 for the damage he inflicted on his racquets.
Medvedev was booed by fans in New York back in 2019 when he threw a racquet in the direction of umpire Damien Dumusois, which earned a fine of nearly A$14,000. But he was able to win fans back on the way to defeating Novak Djokovic in the 2021 final.
Earlier this year at Melbourne Park, the three-time Australian Open finalist was issued with an even bigger fine of $76,000 for unsportsmanlike behaviour, which included a $10,000 penalty for breaking a net camera in the first round.
The rest related to his appalling behaviour in the second round loss to Learner Tien.
Medvedev’s friend and compatriot Andrey Rublev, whose own antics on the court have earned scrutiny, is a godfather to one of the struggling star’s children and said he would be willing to assist his mate if required.
“I don’t know — if he wants to change and needs help he has me, a lot of other friends and family that will help him. But it’s his life and his decision what he needs to do. Only he knows what is happening,” he said.
“I haven’t spoke to him yet. I think he needs to take some time because it was a tough loss for him, but I will text him. The year he’s had in the slams (winning only one match) has not been easy for him.”
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