MELBOURNE – Daniil Medvedev has been fined more than half his Australian Open prize money for his behaviour at Melbourne Park.

The Russian, a three-time beaten finalist, crashed out of the tournament in the second round following a five-set loss to American teenager Learner Tien, during which he received a point penalty after throwing his racket, while he also skipped the mandatory post-match press conference.

He was fined US$66 000 (N$1.25 million), one of the biggest amounts in grand slam history, for unsportsmanlike conduct, plus an extra US$10 000 (N$190 000) for breaking a net camera by repeatedly smashing it with his racket during his first-round win over Kasidit Samrej.

Medvedev will also have to reimburse organisers for the cost of the camera, taking another chunk out of his overall prize money of 200 000 Australian dollars (approximately US$123 750 or N$2.4 million).

France’s Corentin Moutet also received a sizeable fine of US$15 000 (N$285 000) for unsportsmanlike conduct, while Britain’s Jack Draper was penalised US$4 000 (N$76 000) for smashing his racket during his third-round win over Aleksandar Vukic. 

– Nampa/AFP