Daniil Medvedev Fined $7,000 After Smashing Racket Seven Times in Historic Double-Bagel Loss at Monte Carlo Masters

World No. 6 Daniil Medvedev has been fined $7,000 by the ATP after destroying seven rackets during a stunning 6-0, 6-0 loss to Italy’s Matteo Berrettini at the Monte Carlo Masters. The so-called “double bagel” defeat — among the most humiliating scorelines possible in professional tennis — was compounded by what observers described as one of the most dramatic on-court meltdowns in recent memory on the ATP Tour.

The scale of the meltdown was remarkable even by the standards of a sport that has long grappled with player conduct issues. Under ATP rules, racket abuse carries an initial fine of $1,000 for the first offense in a match, with escalating penalties for subsequent violations. Seven separate acts of racket destruction in a single match is virtually unprecedented at the elite level. To put the fine in perspective, while $7,000 is a relatively modest sum for a player who has earned more than $30 million in career prize money, the incident raises deeper questions about sportsmanship, mental health, and competitive frustration in professional tennis. The ATP’s Code of Conduct allows match officials to issue point penalties and even defaults for repeated unsportsmanlike behavior, though it appears the chair umpire did not escalate beyond fines and warnings during the match.

Medvedev’s frustration, while extreme in its expression, is rooted in a well-documented reality: clay is by far his weakest surface. The 29-year-old Russian has built his career on hard courts, where his flat groundstrokes, exceptional court coverage, and tactical intelligence make him one of the most formidable players in the world. On clay, however, the slower surface and higher bounce neutralize many of his strengths. He has never advanced past the quarterfinals at the French Open, and his overall win rate on clay is significantly lower than on hard courts. The Monte Carlo Masters, played on the red clay of the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, has historically been an uncomfortable venue for Medvedev. Meanwhile, Berrettini — who reached the 2021 Wimbledon final before a series of injuries derailed his career trajectory — is a far more natural clay-court competitor, with powerful serve-and-forehand combinations that thrive on the surface. The Italian’s return to form this season has been one of the more compelling comeback narratives on the ATP Tour.

The incident comes at a critical juncture in the tennis calendar. The clay-court swing is now in full gear, leading toward the French Open at Roland Garros in late May and early June. For Medvedev, the question is whether this episode represents a singular aberration or a sign of deeper competitive and psychological challenges on a surface he openly dislikes. He has previously made candid remarks about his distaste for clay, once describing it as the surface that “doesn’t suit my game.” How he responds in upcoming clay tournaments — including potential appearances in Madrid and Rome — will be closely watched. The ATP has not indicated any additional disciplinary action beyond the monetary fines, but repeated conduct violations within a 12-month period can trigger escalated sanctions, including suspension. For Berrettini, the dominant victory serves as a powerful statement that his comeback from multiple surgeries is on track and that he remains capable of beating the world’s best on his preferred surface.

The broader conversation this incident has ignited touches on an issue the ATP has struggled with for years: where to draw the line between competitive passion and unacceptable behavior. Tennis prides itself on traditions of etiquette and sportsmanship, yet some fans and commentators argue that emotional outbursts are part of the sport’s appeal. Others counter that destroying seven rackets in a single match — equipment that costs hundreds of dollars apiece and is aspirational for young players who cannot afford it — sends the wrong message. Whatever one’s perspective, the image of a former world No. 1 systematically destroying his tools of trade during a historic blowout loss will endure as one of the more memorable and debated moments of the 2025 tennis season.