Daniil Medvedev claims helplessness to ‘dictate the game’ after complaining about Rotterdam conditions

Daniil Medvedev defeated Stan Wawrinka in the Round of 32 at the Rotterdam Open 2025, in a hard-fought three-setter.

Daniil Medvedev claims helplessness to ‘dictate the game’ after complaining about Rotterdam conditions

Danill Medvedev (via Instagram)

After a titleless 2024 run and a disappointing early round exit at the Australian Open 2025, Daniil Medvedev is playing his next tournament of the season at the ABN AMRO Open, of which he was the champion in 2023.

Medvedev faced three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in the round of 32 at the Rotterdam Open. The 39-year-old clinched the first set in a tightly contested tiebreak, to which Medvedev responded by saving all break points in the second set and then dominating the final set, eventually winning the match with a scoreline of 6(8)-7(10), 6-4, 6-1.

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Slow courts, slow balls, but it’s not new. I don’t have enough power in these conditions to dictate the game.

Daniil Medvedev said, after the match

No stranger to conflicts with courtside officials, this match once again saw Daniil Medvedev‘s outbursts. In the first set, Medvedev was on his way to a love hold against Stan Wawrinka. A delay ensued due to a ball girl seemingly failing to give Medvedev the balls in time.

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This led to chair umpire Adel Nour issuing a time violation at 5-5, 40-0, for taking too long between points. The World No. 7 didn’t agree with the penalty, making his frustrations evident to the umpire from the bench as he wiped himself off with a towel. He had a heated rant with the chair umpire, where he asked him to open his eyes and even called him an absolute rubbish.

Daniil Medvedev will face Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci in the next round at Rotterdam Open

Daniil Medvedev’s controversial acts at the Australian Open 2025 saw him being slapped with a significant fine. In the first round, Medvedev faced a tough challenge against Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej, ranked World No. 418. Medvedev started strong, clinching the first set, but Samrej responded by winning the next two sets, putting the three-time Australian Open finalist on the brink of an early exit.

Stan Wawrinka Rotterdam Open 2025
Stan Wawrinka playing against Daniil Medvedev (via Instagram)

However, Medvedev regained control, dominating the fourth and fifth sets to secure his place in the second round. The match was marked by Medvedev’s frustration, wherein he smashed a net camera with his racket. In the second round, Medvedev encountered American qualifier Learner Tien, where the 19-year-old defeated Medvedev in a five-set battle.

Advancing to the Round of 16 at Rotterdam, Medvedev will face Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci for the first time on court. Bellucci had defeated Dutch wildcard Mees Rottgering in straight sets in the Round of 32.