(Video) Daniil Medvedev Accuses Chair Umpire of Intimidating Him After Being Warned Despite Cramping at the China Open

Learner Tien will face Jannik Sinner in his first ATP 500 final at the China Open in Beijing.

(Video) Daniil Medvedev Accuses Chair Umpire of Intimidating Him After Being Warned Despite Cramping at the China Open

Daniil Medvedev accused the chair umpire of intimidating him (via X/Meddy fans/Tennis Channel)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Daniil Medvedev accused the chair umpire of trying to intimidate him during his semi-final clash against Learner Tien at the China Open. The Russian star shockingly received a code violation after struggling with cramps on the court in the third set of the encounter. The World No.18 was not pleased with the umpire’s decision to award him a code violation.

Medvedev was seeking to reach the China Open for the first time since 2023 and had overcome World No.3 Alexander Zverev in straight sets in the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing. But the match didn’t begin well for Medvedev as he had to rally from 2-4 down to win 7-5 in the first set.

In fact, he was broken early twice, but then went on to break thrice to claim the set. He continued with the same momentum in the second set and was just one game away from reaching the final of the China Open as he led 7-5, 5-3. But he was stunned by Tien, who won four consecutive games to force the match to a decider.

It was when Medvedev returned to the court that he suddenly began to struggle. He was at his best physically from the first set until then, when he began to struggle with cramps, barely moving on the court, and did not make any effort to return Tien’s serve. He was down 0-3 in the third set before the umpire Adel Nour issued a code violation for lack of effort in returning Tien’s serve.

That got Medvedev angry on the court as supervisor Roland Herfel needed to intervene in the heated argument between the Russian star and the umpire. Medvedev vehemently defended his commitment on the court, while questioning the umpire’s judgment:

You prefer that I retire? Say to the guys and the cameras that you prefer I retire. I’m giving my best effort so why the hell are you saying I’m not giving my best effort. Who are you to decide for me? Who are you? What’s your name? Why is every referee in the world trying to intimidate me? I didn’t say one word. After US Open, I’m trying to be good and this guy is doing that? I’m supposed to act good? Why are you trying to intimidate me? What’s your problem with me?

Medvedev referred to his US Open first-round outburst against Benjamin Bonzi last month. The former World No.1 suggested that he was trying to improve his behavior after he was fined $42,500 for his conduct on the court. However, in New York, Medvedev was completely at fault, but at the China Open, the umpire was not supposed to have awarded him a code violation.

Learner Tien reaches his first ATP 500 final in Beijing after Daniil Medvedev’s retirement

Learner Tien is now in his first ATP 500 final on tour. The American star had gained popularity in January after beating Daniil Medvedev in the second round of the Australian Open. He overcame the Russian star via. retirement while leading 5-7, 7-5, 4-0 in the semi-finals of the China Open in Beijing.

Learner Tien
Learner Tien (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Tien became the second youngest finalist in the history of the China Open. During the on-court interview, he wished Medvedev well following his physical struggles on the court. The 19-year-old then added that he was happy to reach his first tour-level final:

I was down 3-5 and 2-4 in the second and clawed my way back. I didn’t think anything was wrong with him and then he came out of the bathroom break kind of limping, so I was not sure if he was cramping or if he was injured as he had tape on his leg. I think it was cramping and I have been there and it is not fun.

Tien currently holds a decent 7-5 record against players in the top 20. He leads Medvedev 2-0 in their head-to-head record. He will now face Jannik Sinner in the final of the China Open. Sinner earned his place in the final after overcoming Alex de Minaur in straight sets on Tuesday (September 30).

Also Read: Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Rushes to Her Defense After Criticism for Displaying Cotton Artwork in Miami Home