World No. 4 Daniil Medvedev suffered a stunning collapse during his ATP Finals opener on Sunday, threatening to retire from the match after receiving a point penalty for racket abuse.
The drama unfolded in the second set of Medvedev’s clash with American Taylor Fritz. The reigning US Open champion had already received a code violation earlier in the contest, but his frustrations boiled over after being broken and falling behind 4-2.
Medvedev reacted furiously, throwing his racket multiple times and drawing the ire of the crowd at the Inalpi Arena. His antics escalated when he was penalized a point for his continued racket abuse, prompting an extraordinary reaction from the Russian.
“Can I have one ball? An old ball that you don’t need. One old ball,” Medvedev pleaded with the chair umpire, before declaring, “I’m gonna retire. I’m gonna retire man. I’m gonna retire if you don’t give me a ball. I’m gonna retire right now.”
Despite his threats, Medvedev ultimately remained on the court, though his meltdown appeared to have cost him any chance of a comeback.
Things got worse when he was broken in the second when Fritz fluked a lob winner that just landed inside the court. The American apologised as he took a 4-2 lead but Medvedev had already blown his lid, tossing his racket and sending it flying behind the baseline.
He hit it against an advertising board for good measure and was quickly penalised. Because it was his second warning, Medvedev received a point penalty and Fritz started the next game at 15-0 up.
“Had to be. He’s completely smashed that microphone, there’s going to be a fine and I’m sure paying the damages as well. Careful Daniil, you’re going to really lose the crowd here,” BBC analyst, Colin Fleming, said on commentary.
Medvedev kept on going, throwing his racket around as his opponent waited to serve. The Inalpi Arena crowd weren’t impressed, booing and whistling.
The incident marked a disappointing start to Medvedev’s ATP Finals campaign, where he was widely tipped as one of the favourites to lift the prestigious year-end title. His unravelling on the court left commentators and fans alike stunned by the former champion’s loss of composure.
“He’s just being a bit silly here, trying to pretend the grip is slippy. Pushing his luck right now,” Fleming said, as Medvedev continued to toss his racket dramatically.
Fritz clinched a 6-4, 6-3 victory, later commenting that he knew his opponent would “fight for that game” at 5-3 despite the outburst.
Featured image: Tennis TV
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