Daniil Medvedev Bizarrely Snaps At Australian Open Ballkids During Final

We've seen some pretty strange antics from Daniil Medvedev throughout the Australian Open, but this one right here tops the lot.

With the match against Rafael Nadal slipping away from him, the Russian decided to start having a go at the ballkids.

Yes, the innocent ballkids.

Despite leading two sets to love, Medvedev somehow let Nadal back into the match.

But, as is the case with some tennis players, the world No.2 refused to hold his hands up and take the blame himself.

Instead, he took his anger out on the ballkids.

It appeared Medvedev was getting annoyed by the ball distribution between the ballkids in between serves.

And the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena getting on his back, the Russian finally snapped during a break in play.

"Are they not allowed to pass ball to one another? They don't have to do the circle around the court - they can just pass one ball to another," Medvedev said to the chair umpire.

"Two and two. Then they can pass to each other. It doesn't have to be in the middle."

It was easy to see that Medvedev was losing it as Nadal slowly regained control of the match, something commentator Jim Courier pointed out.

"Probably [annoyed] because he just had a bunch of break points a couple of games ago and didn't get it," Courier said.

"It's just a bit of a pressure relief for him, I think. That's what we were looking at, both of the ball kids didn't have balls. Unusual, a little bit."

It's not the first time Medvedev has had a fiery blow-up this tournament.

He was fined $17,000 for his outburst at a different chair umpire during his semi-final victory over rival Stefanos Tsitipas.

And the Russian was at it again with the chair umpire for the final, calling for him to address the rowdy crowd inside Rod Laver Arena who often cheered between first and second serves.

Alamy

"They are idiots," Medvedev said.

"No brains, empty brains. Probably their life must be very bad.

"Can you announce that whoever shouts before first and second serve is an idiot.

"They're not going to do it anymore."

But again, tennis legend Courier could see right through it.

"He is trying to manipulate umpire," Courier said in commentary.

"Trying to bait him into getting more involved with the crowd. And it has worked for him in the past. It helped him in his previous match get a coaching violation against Stefanos Tsitsipas. But he is frustrated and is venting, and he is tired and there is a lot at stake."

Topics: Tennis, Rafael Nadal, Australian Open, Australia, Tennis, Rafael Nadal, Australian Open, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry