Medvedev's Monte Carlo Meltdown: A Stunning 6-0, 6-0 Defeat and Racquet-Smashing Rage
In a shocking display at the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday, former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev endured a humiliating 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Italian wild card Matteo Berrettini, capped by a viral on-court meltdown that saw him destroy his racquet in frustration.
The Viral Outburst: Seven Smashes and a Trash Bin Toss
The incident that quickly spread across social media occurred midway through the second set. Already trailing 2-0 after dropping his service game, Medvedev lost his temper completely. He first slammed his racquet near the baseline, then hurled it toward the back of the court. In a fit of rage, he proceeded to smash it seven consecutive times on the red clay until the frame was utterly mangled, before tossing the wreckage into a courtside trash bin.
The outburst drew sarcastic cheers from the Monte Carlo crowd and earned the 30-year-old Russian a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. This conduct is likely to result in a substantial fine from tournament officials.
Berrettini's Flawless Masterclass
While Medvedev unraveled, Matteo Berrettini delivered what he described as one of the finest performances of his career. Currently ranked No. 90 and playing on a wild card entry, the Italian dominated from the first point to the last in a one-sided contest that lasted just 49 minutes.
"I wouldn't expect to win like that and it doesn't happen that often," Berrettini remarked after the match, underscoring the rarity of such a comprehensive victory.
The statistics highlighted the immense gulf between the two players on the day:
- Medvedev committed five double faults and landed only 36% of his first serves.
- The Russian won a mere 17 of 67 total points played.
- In stark contrast, Berrettini was near flawless, missing just a handful of shots throughout the entire match.
A Rare 'Double Bagel' in Tennis History
According to data from Opta, Berrettini's victory places him in an exclusive club. He became only the fifth player since the ATP Rankings began in 1973 to defeat a top-10 opponent by the scoreline of 6-0, 6-0—a rare result colloquially known as a "double bagel." The last such instance occurred a decade ago when David Goffin routed Tomas Berdych.
This result marks a dramatic reversal in the rivalry between the two players, as Medvedev had won all three of their previous meetings. Coming into Monte Carlo, Medvedev had shown solid form on hard courts, including a recent run to the final at Indian Wells where he defeated world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. However, his first clay-court outing of the 2024 season turned into an unmitigated nightmare.
The match will be remembered not only for the shocking scoreline but for the visceral image of a former champion's composure completely shattered on one of tennis's most prestigious stages.
