Daniil Medvedev has told Australian Open rival Kasidit Samrej how to get ‘money and girls’ after his remarkable on-court meltdown on Tuesday.
Russian world No.5 tennis star Medvedev threw a massive tantrum during his five-set victory over unseeded Thai player Samrej at Melbourne Park.
Medvedev destroyed his racket and a net camera while playing against the world No.418 wildcard before eventually winning 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2.
After the first-round marathon at Rod Laver Arena, Medvedev had an unusual message for Samrej, telling him he can get ‘money and girls’ if he continues to play at such a high level.
‘If he plays like this every match, his life can be good,’ Medvedev said during his on-court interview.
‘Money, girls, casino, whatever. If he plays like this every match. If he doesn’t, then he’s not going to have it.
‘Maybe not in tennis but he’s going to make this otherwise. But I wish he can play like this every match.’
Medvedev, seeded fifth at the Australian Open, earned a code violation for racket abuse against Samrej and held up play before the fourth set as staff were forced to sweep up debris.
The Russian eventually secured the win, though, after more than three hours on the court, and will next face Learner Tien in the second round.
‘I know that I play better when I play more tennis so I was like, ‘why play one hour 30?” Medvedev joked.
‘I need minimum three hours at least to feel my shots better, to have a good sensation.
‘No, but really speaking, [in the] second and third set, I couldn’t touch the ball! Full power, everything in, I didn’t know what to do.’
Medvedev reached the Australian Open final last year, finishing the tournament as a runner-up to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.