Novak Djokovic Loses His Cool With Umpire During China Open Match Against Daniil Medvedev

Novak Djokovic won his semifinal match at the China Open after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified for hitting a spectator with a ball. The Serb was leading 7-5, 5-3 when the incident happened.

Another incident happened earlier during the match. Djokovic confronted chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani after losing a point at 1-1, 40-40 in the second set.

Djokovic told him how quickly he restarted the shot clock in a thrilling game, yelling, “Mohamed, what are you doing? Recognize the freaking moment! You didn’t!” Lahyani replied, “Yes, I paused [shot clock]“. Nole also lost his serve after being given a time violation warning.

Djokovic just went full McEnroe https://t.co/fz9Lv51fd0

— Corvath Draemir (@Archaicmind3000) October 5, 2026

Djokovic didn’t like how the match ended. Following the match, Medvedev told reporters that he wanted to apologize to the spectator in person.

Terribly sorry to the spectator, first of ​all. I’m trying to get in touch with him, if he wants it. Hopefully I can apologize in ​person and see how he feels. The ball was bouncing back, so I tried to, like, just hit it anywhere so it doesn’t go out from the court. When I saw the result, I ​mean, I felt horrible because, again, I don’t think I was ever close to such a situation.

Djokovic has improved his head-to-head record over Medvedev to 11-5. It was their first match since the 2023 US Open final, which he won, lifting his career’s 24th Grand Slam title. Since then, Djokovic has played two Major finals, losing both to World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz (2024 Wimbledon and the 2026 Australian Open).

Djokovic will next be facing Alex de Minaur, who received a walkover from Hubert Hurkacz. De Minaur trails 1-3 in the head-to-head matchups against Djokovic. The lone win that he clinched was in the quarterfinals of the 2024 United Cup.

De Minaur is chasing his second title of the season following the Rotterdam Open, where he defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime. He also reached the final of the Rosmalen Grass Court Championships but lost the match to Kamil Majchrzak.

Novak Djokovic reaches his seventh consecutive final at the China Open

Novak Djokovic is playing in Beijing for the seventh time in his career. He won the title in his previous six appearances in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. And so now, he will be playing in the final for the seventh consecutive time in his career.

I always believe in myself, and to be quite frank, I felt like I played really well in the training sessions, but obviously it’s different when you play an official match. My draw wasn’t very favorable, to be honest- tough matches from the beginning, but it makes the run to the final sweeter. I’m in another final. There’s something about Beijing that keeps me going.

Novak Djokovic said after the match (H/T: ATP Tour)

Djokovic will be playing his second final of the season following the Australian Open. If he beats de Minaur, it will be his first title since his victory at the 2025 Hellenic Championship.

After the Beijing ATP 500 event, Djokovic will be competing at the Shanghai Masters, where last year he lost in the semifinals. He is a four-time champion in the penultimate Masters 1000 of the season, last reaching the final in 2024 and losing it to Jannik Sinner.

The Shanghai event starts on October 7. Valentin Vacherot will be entering the tournament as the defending champion. Last year, he beat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final.

In Beijing, the reigning champion is Sinner, but he withdrew due to a knee injury. He will also not be playing in Shanghai. Carlos Alcaraz at present is competing at the Japan Open, and will face Jiri Lehecka in the final.

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