Sky Sports Forced to Apologize After Showing Hamad Medjedovic Vomiting at the Italian Open

Sky Sports had to issue an apology during Hamad Medjedovic’s match against Mariano Navone in the third round of the Italian Open. This is the second time in five months that Sky Sports has apologized on air during a match. They did that last during Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula’s tie in the quarter-finals of the Miami Open.

Medjedovic staged a remarkable comeback from a set down to beat Navone at the Foro Italico. The contest, which lasted for three hours at a time, began to take its toll on Medjedovic in the second set. After creating a second match point opportunity and being ready to serve for the set, he walked to the back of the court and vomited on the clay.

The incident was captured live on Sky Sports while a ball boy held balls patiently waiting for Medjedovic to return to his baseline. However, the Serbian player vomiting beside the court was a stark illustration of the match’s intensity. Then Naomi Cavaday told viewers:

Ooh. Well, he has been battling for three hours; he might be coming up against his limits here. Can we get through one more point? Sorry that we got that on camera, everyone.

Still holding a match point, Medjedovic didn’t turn to the ball boy to get the balls to serve; he quickly went to his bench to collect himself before continuing. During the delay, the aforementioned commentator then tried to calm the incident by showing some support to the World No.67:

Just a delay as he has a drink, washes his mouth out. We are going to play the match point now. Just needs to find a way over the line now.

However, the fans in Court Pietrangeli grew impatient, whistling and jeering as they waited for the Serbian star to return to the baseline. The match resumed, but Medjedovic blew his second match point by sending the ball long, which got the fans on their feet supporting Navone, who was also struggling with fatigue.

In the third set, Medjedovic sealed his victory, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to claim his place in the round of 16 of an ATP Masters 1000 for the first time in his career. Medjedovic has been in excellent form during this clay season.

Last month, he reached the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open and claimed a notable win over third seed Alex de Minaur. His run in Rome has been equally impressive, having beaten Joao Fonseca in the second round of the tournament in Rome.

Hamad Medjedovic survives crowd boos and whistling again at the Italian Open

Hamad Medjedovic was almost in tears after beating Mariano Navone in the third round of the Italian Open. The home crowd was not on his side like they were when he faced Joao Fonseca in the second round. The home crowd whistled each time he was meant to serve and cheered any time Navone won a game.

After the opening set, Navone was set to breeze past Medjedovic and earn his place in the round of 16 of the Italian Open. But the Serbian star immediately made adjustments by increasing the power of his service and shortening baseline exchanges, which worked perfectly well in the second set.

Medjedovic’s reliance on a powerful serve and redirection of Navone’s rallies reduced the Argentine star’s break point frequency and shifted control to Medjedovic. Once the Serbian player took control of the tie, he maintained his serve efficiency under pressure, saving the majority of break points in the decider.

The former Next Gen ATP champion will face Spanish sensation Martin Landaluce for a place in the quarter-finals. Landaluce entered the tournament as a lucky loser and has been impressive on the court. With only one set dropped at the event, Landaluce defeated the former US Open champion Marin Cilic in the second round.

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