Australian Open: 'Hothead' Daniil Medvedev's behaviour 'entertaining but not good for tournament', says Boris Becker

Eurosport expert Boris Becker has called Daniil Medvedev a "hothead" after the Russian smashed a net camera with his racquet during his Australian Open first-round match. The world No. 5 had just lost an unfortunate point thanks to a net cord against Kasidit Samrej, and whacked the net multiple times in anger. The Russian, however, would come back to win in five sets, 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2.

Watch as 'hugely frustrated' Medvedev breaks net camera with racquet

Video credit: TNT Sports

Eurosport expert Boris Becker labelled Daniil Medvedev a "hothead" after the Russian smashed a net camera during his Australian Open first round match.

The Russian was down 5-3 in the third set of his match against Kasidit Samrej when the Thai player hit a cross-court forehand that clipped the net cord, forcing Medvedev to scramble forward and retrieve the short ball.

He did so, but was passed superbly by Samrej with the following shot.

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Medvedev took out his frustrations on the net – and more pertinently the camera attached to the taping – smashing his racquet against it numerous times.

Tournament staff were forced to sweep up shards from the court immediately afterwards and at the resulting changeover, after Medvedev had lost the game to go two-sets-to-one down.

However, the world No. 5 recovered to win in five, progressing into the second round where he will face Learner Tien.

Speaking on 'Matchball Becker' on Eurosport Germany, Becker, a two-time Australian Open champion himself, said that Medvedev’s behaviour was "not good for the tournament".

Watch staff sweep up mess after Medvedev smashes net camera

Video credit: TNT Sports

"He's just become a father for the second time, so he should have a bit more control over himself," the German said.

"But that's how we know him. He's a hothead. It's very entertaining for us, but not good for the tournament. I'm curious to see how much of a fine he'll have to pay."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

'I hope it's not too big' - Medvedev expects fine

Medvedev himself said in his press conference that he hoped any fine that he would be handed "is not too big", and remarked that he was "very surprised" at how sturdy the net camera actually was.

"Honestly, I hope it's not too big, because the fine is usually for breaking the racquet, and the camera is going to cost some, but I don't think a GoPro is that expensive," Medvedev said.

"What I have to say is the camera was very, very strong, because my racquet didn't handle the damage, but the camera did. It broke down, but there was not one piece going out from the camera. Very strong. I was very surprised because when I did it, I didn't want to smash the racquet in pieces. When I saw the racquet, I was like, ‘okay, time to take a new one, I guess'."