How the tennis tantrum became the sport’s irremovable feature
The sentence stemmed from two separate incidents. The heaviest of the two was $107,000 for “inappropriate conduct” during his second-round loss to Learner Tien in the qualifiers, which included him throwing his racket, voicing his displeasure with mistakes and skipping the post-match press conference. “Abuse of rackets or equipment” was a cheap $13,000 for the broken camera.
It’s safe to say that Tennis Australia has taken a relatively harsh toll on Medvedev, so it’s all the more intriguing that the board has decided to use his antics in promotional material for the 2026 tournament at the official Australian Open launch in October.
The standard we go through is the standard we accept, right? So the question is: Does highlighting bad behavior mean you agree with it? But were the penalties sufficient to highlight the seriousness of the crime?
In Medvedev’s case, it seems like enough time has passed that we can laugh about this crazy incident.
After all, bad behavior in promotional materials is bait for tennis fans and fans of the season alike. He says, look at the drama! This is what you can see if you keep watching. Showing does not mean they approve.
And explosions with the champions are always the most memorable moments of the Open.
Daniil Medvedev, who has an emotional nature, makes his feelings known to the first referee.Credit: Getty Images
In my mind, living rent-free is the “little cat” event of 2022.
Let me point out that when a player attacks the chair umpire during a match, a line needs to be drawn. The referees are doing their best and it is not an easy job, especially when both the crowd and the players can be against them at times.
But I think the fact that head referee Jaume Campistol shrugged off the next incident means we can talk about it.
During the 2022 Australian Open semifinal between Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, Medvedev criticized Campistol for allowing Tsitsipas to receive sideline coaching from his father Apostolos. Back then, as now, coaching from the sidelines was not allowed, and after a tirade that included asking the referee if he was crazy and stupid, Medvedev said: “You are, how can I call it, a little cat”.
Do I need to spell this out? He called him a coward.
The Australian Open is the scene of some of the most intriguing and infamous tantrums of our time.
There’s Marcos Baghdatis’ four-racquet hit in 2012, CoCo Vandeweghe’s banana rule violation in 2018, and at the extreme end of the scale, there’s John McEnroe’s disqualification in 1990 for repeated rule violations, including intimidating a linesman, smashing his racquet, and cursing at the umpire and tournament referee.
The irony and intrigue is that McEnroe is now a regular presence at the Australian Open, and the seriousness of the occasion stands in stark contrast to the upbeat music in the background of the video on the Australian Open’s YouTube channel. Time heals many wounds.
There are also events we could be a little more tolerant about, like Aryna Sabalenka smashing her racquet after losing the 2025 Australian Open final. It was a rush of blood, an outpouring of emotions and a cathartic relief for the former champion, who had to stand up and make his second-place speech after a crushing defeat.
Prepare for drama as we approach another Australian Open. Currently the villain card is still available, but you can guarantee someone will grab it with both hands.
After all, tennis always delivers results.
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