Daniil Medvedev Defaulted for Hitting Spectator With Ball During Novak Djokovic China Open Semifinal

Novak Djokovic will lock horns with Alex de Minaur in the final of the China Open.

Daniil Medvedev Defaulted for Hitting Spectator With Ball During Novak Djokovic China Open Semifinal

Daniil Medvedev (r) hit a spectator during his match against Novak Djokovic (l) (Image via NBC Sports, RTL Today, X/Corvath Draemir)

Novak Djokovic has reached the final of the China Open. On Monday (October 5), his semifinal opponent Daniil Medvedev defaulted from the match for hitting a spectator.

The ball had appeared to hit the spectator’s left eye, after which he was seen sitting there with his head down. Djokovic was serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3, 15/15 when Medvedev smashed a ball into the crowd, and it hit that spectator after the ball bounced off a wall. The Serb, who it seemed was protesting against chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani‘s decision, only felt sorry for his opponent, also convinced that his fellow former World No.1 accidentally hit the spectator.

A bit of a shock, to be honest. Sorry for the person [who got hit]. I honestly didn’t see what happened. I hope that person is not badly injured. On the other hand, I also feel sorry for Daniil, because I know exactly how he feels to be disqualified in a big match. I was disqualified at the 2020 US Open in similar circumstances. I am sure that Daniil didn’t want to do this intentionally. It just happens.

Novak Djokovic told Tennis TV after the match (H/T: ATP Tour)

Here’s the video of the incident:

Because he was disqualified, Medvedev would lose 200 points that he had gained after reaching the semifinals. He also loses $200,000 that he would have pocketed.

Before knocking out Medvedev, the 24-time Grand Slam champion eliminated two-time Grand Slam champion Alexander Zverev in three sets, also improving his head-to-head record to 10-5. Against Medvedev, the Serb now holds an 11-5 head-to-head lead.

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Novak Djokovic on his grueling battle with Daniil Medvedev

Before the incident, Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic competed for two hours and 29 minutes in a grueling semifinal. Medvedev was chasing his fourth title of the season after his wins in Brisbane, Dubai, and Hangzhou. He also reached the final of the Indian Wells Masters but lost it to World No.1 Jannik Sinner.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via CLAY)

I was three points away from the win. It was a grueling battle, and I definitely didn’t want [a] third set. It was looking like that. I don’t know how many break points I saved, it was crazy. It’s always a big battle with Daniil, and it’s so hard to play him when he’s feeling the ball well in slower conditions with a big serve. But we move on.

Novak Djokovic said during the on-court interview (H/T: ATP Tour)

Before this season, Djokovic competed in Beijing six times, winning all of them in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Medvedev reached one China Open final in 2023, losing it to Sinner. He will next be seen in action at the Shanghai Masters, which starts on October 7. Valentin Vacherot is the reigning champion. Last year, the Monegasque defeated his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final.

Djokovic, on the other hand, will be aiming to improve his head-to-head record over his China Open final opponent Alex de Minaur to 4-1. Nole is competing in Beijing for the first time since 2015.

He will also be competing at the Shanghai Masters following the Beijing ATP 500 event. Last year, the four-time champion lost in the semifinals, while in 2024, he lost in the final to Sinner.

Djokovic last lifted a title at the 2025 Hellenic Championship. He will be playing his second final of the season following the Australian Open, where, after stunning two-time defending champion Sinner in the semifinals, the 39-year-old lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

Also read: Aryna Sabalenka Reacts After Shock Early-Round Exit at China Open