Daniil Medvedev smashed a second racket in the space of a week in Melbourne.

Daniil Medvedev throwing his racket in frustration. (Image: Eurosport.)

Daniil Medvedev threw his tennis racket along the floor and into the advertising hoardings in a second meltdown this week at the Australian Open.

Last year’s finalist found himself in a tricky spot, a set down to Learner Tien. While trailing in the second to the 19-year-old American, Medvedev’s frustrations got the better of him and nearby fans got a scare when his racket soon came hurling towards them.

Struggling to hold his serve, Medvedev was broken once more and launched his racket from distance into the boards on the side of the court.

While ensuring that he did not risk harming spectators by aiming his throw along the floor, there was a risk that it could have clipped up off the floor dangerously and as Eurosport commentator Robbie Koenig said on air, it “could have gone anywhere”.

Medvedev then raged at the chair umpire after a foot fault was called by the electronic review on the Russian star, in a double fault during the second-set tiebreak, leading the 28-year-old to remonstrate with the officials before going two sets down to the world No. 121.

The explosive moments came after he smashed a racket into the net and broke a TV camera during his first-round victory over wildcard Kasidit Samrej.

Daniil Medvedev snapping during his second-round clash. (Image: Getty)

Medvedev broke a camera attached to the net after an unfortunate net cord went against him, in the knowledge that he would be picking up a fine for his reaction.

“Honestly, I hope it’s not too big, because the fine is usually for breaking the racquet, and the camera is going to cost some, but I don’t think a GoPro is that expensive,” Medvedev said after a ball kid had to pick up the pieces of the camera.

“What I have to say is the camera was very, very strong, because my racquet didn’t handle the damage, but the camera did. It broke down, but there was not one piece going out from the camera.

“Very strong. I was very surprised because when I did it, I didn’t want to smash the racquet in pieces. When I saw the racquet, I was like, ‘okay, time to take a new one, I guess’.”

Medvedev’s latest outburst will have done little to alleviate the allegations of being a “hothead” made by Boris Becker, who said that his actions have no place in tennis.

Speaking on ‘Matchball Becker’ on Eurosport Germany, Becker said: “He’s just become a father for the second time, so he should have a bit more control over himself.

“But that’s how we know him. He’s a hothead. It’s very entertaining for us, but not good for the tournament. I’m curious to see how much of a fine he’ll have to pay.”