Daniil Medvedev's quest for glory at the Australian Open faced an unexpected twist in his first-round match against wildcard player Kasidit Samrej. Fighting through a grueling five-set battle, Medvedev managed to reverse a daunting two sets to one deficit, securing his spot in the second round of the tournament.

This thrilling clash marked Medvedev’s first competitive outing of 2025, a year where many were skeptical about his performance, predicting an early exit. However, his skills shone through as he clawed his way back, showcasing resilience characteristic of a top player.

Yet, the match was not without its drama. In a moment of frustration during the third set, Medvedev slammed his racket against the net, causing significant damage to the Go Pro camera mounted there. This reckless act led to an official warning, and now the world number five is left anxiously contemplating the possibility of a fine.

In the post-match press conference, Medvedev opened up about his concerns. “Honestly, I hope not too big [of a fine], because usually fines come from breaking a racket. The camera will certainly cost something, but I don’t think Go Pro cameras are that pricey,” he said, trying to downplay the situation.

On a lighter note, he humorously remarked on the strength of the camera: “What I have to say is the camera was very, very strong; my racket didn’t handle the damage, but the camera did. It broke down, but not one piece came out from it. Very strong. I was very surprised.”

Looking ahead, fans are left to wonder if Medvedev can replicate his success from the previous Australian Open. Last year, he faced similar adversity, overcoming Emil Ruusuvuori after being two sets down in a nerve-wracking comeback during the second round. The 2024 tournament was a rollercoaster ride for Medvedev, who played an astonishing four five-set matches, ultimately battling against the likes of Hubert Hurkacz and Alexander Zverev before narrowly losing the championship to Jannik Sinner.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Daniil Medvedev, not only to see if he can continue his run but also to find out if the consequences of his on-court outburst will leave a mark on his title aspirations. Could this fiery moment be the catalyst for a dramatic turnaround in Medvedev's season? Only time will tell!