Medvedev disqualified from China Open semi against Djokovic after hitting rebounding ball into crowd
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A downcast Daniil Medvedev speaking to the media after he was disqualified from his China Open semi-final on Oct 5.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from the China Open semi-final after hitting a rebounding ball into the crowd, injuring a spectator in the eye.
- Novak Djokovic expressed sympathy for both the injured spectator and Medvedev, recalling his own similar disqualification in 2020 at the US Open.
- The other semi-final ended with Hubert Hurkacz retiring due to injury, setting up a final between Djokovic and Alex de Minaur on Oct 6.
AI generated
BEIJING – Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final clash with Novak Djokovic after hitting a rebounding ball into the crowd, striking a spectator in the eye.
The Russian world No. 5 was trailing 7-5, 5-3 on Oct 5, and had lost a point when he hit the ball coming off the wall.
The spectator, who was sitting in the first row, clutched his left eye and appeared to be in pain as he walked out of the gallery, assisted by stadium staff.
Medvedev did not protest against the umpire’s decision to disqualify him, and will lose his points and prize money from the tournament as a result of the default.
“Terribly sorry to the spectator, first of all,” Medvedev told reporters. “I’m trying to get in touch with him, if he wants it. Hopefully, I can apologise in person and see how he feels.”
The 30-year-old former US Open champion said he did not cause the incident intentionally.
“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.”
Sixth seed Djokovic said he was shocked by the incident.
“I hope that person is not badly injured,” said the 24-time Grand Slam winner, who was disqualified from the 2020 US Open in the fourth round under similar circumstances.
“On the other hand, I also feel sorry for Daniil because I know exactly how it feels to be disqualified in a big match... I’m sure that Daniil didn’t want to do this intentionally.”
A spectator points at Medvedev (bottom) as another spectator (partially obscured) is assisted after he was injured by a ball the Russian hit into the stands during the semi-final on Oct 5.
PHOTO: AFP
Both semi-finals ended prematurely in Beijing, as Hubert Hurkacz retired with an adductor injury earlier on Oct 5.
Australian Alex de Minaur was leading the first semi 6-4, 3-2 when his Polish opponent, who had struggled with movement throughout the match, retired.
In the final on Oct 6, de Minaur, who won the Rotterdam Open in 2026, meets Djokovic, who is seeking his first title this season after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final.
‘Gruelling battle’
The Serb’s win lifted his China Open mark to 33 victories without a loss, extending his record of making the best start in a men’s singles tournament in the Open Era.
He beat French and US Open champion Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals to break the record Rafael Nadal set by winning his first 31 matches at Roland Garros.
The 39-year-old survived punishing long rallies and saved seven break points to take the first set in one hour and 19 minutes. He was serving for the match when Medvedev was disqualified.
“It was a gruelling battle... it always is a big battle with Daniil and it’s so hard to play him,” said Djokovic, who won the China Open all six times he played in it from 2009 to 2015 before returning to the event in 2026.
“Another final. There’s something about Beijing that just keeps me going.” REUTERS