Daniil Medvedev was dramatically disqualified from the China Open after hitting a fan with a rogue shot.
Medvedev, who has a reputation as a combustible character, inexplicably hammered a ball into the stands in frustration after losing a point against Novak Djokovic.
The ball hit a spectator in Beijing, with the affected fan seen holding their left eye before they were escorted away for medical treatment.
One of the fan’s counterparts appeared to remonstrate with Medvedev, who was spoken to by the umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, and an ATP official.
As a result of his misdemeanour, Medvedev was defaulted – the tennis term for an immediate disqualification of a player from a match or tournament due to a serious rule violation or misconduct – with Djokovic progressing from the semi-final clash.
Medvedev didn’t contest the decision and walked sheepishly off court after shaking hands with his opponent.
Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from the China Open after hitting a fan with a rogue shot
The Russian had been been up against it given he was down 5-7, 3-5 in the match at the time – with the score in the decisive game level at 15-15 – yet it still proved to be a remarkable ending to the encounter.
‘I feel terribly sorry for him actually and I just hope he’s okay,’ Medvedev said post-match.
‘That’s the most important. The rest, we move on. I just really care about him right now. Hopefully I can meet him and make up for it somehow.’
‘It was 100 per cent an accident.
‘You can see that I didn’t hit the ball in anger, the ball was bouncing back, so I tried to just hit it anywhere, so it wouldn’t go out of the court.
‘When I saw the result, I felt horrible because, again, I don’t think I was ever close to such a situation.
‘The most important thing is I hope that he’s okay, because you never know with these types of situations.’
Speaking after the match, Djokovic expressed his surprise at what had gone on and offered his support to Medvedev.
Medvedev inexplicably hit the ball into the stands after losing a point against Novak Djokovic
‘Well, at this moment, I am a little bit shocked to be honest with the turn of events,’ he said. ‘I feel sorry for Daniil. Also for the person, who I hope is not injured.
‘I didn’t see what happened to be honest. I turned around. Look, I was disqualified from the US Open for something similar six years ago. So I know the feeling. It’s horrible.’
The Serbian added: ‘I am sure that Daniil (didn’t mean it). It happened by accident. Sorry for the crowd. For the match to end like this, I was only three points from winning.
‘It was an incredible level, probably the most physical level I have experienced at this tournament.
‘You know, you had to work for your points. I gave it my all. I knew it would be a big challenge.’
Medvedev has a reputation for struggling to control his emotions, with the Russian famously having a meltdown at the US Open in 2025 when a photographer walked on court.
On that occasion he was fined nearly $42,500 (£31,500) for his behaviour.
That was one of several notable tantrums, while he has been known to frequently argue with umpires, crowds and even smash racquets during matches.
Following his antics in Beijing, Medvedev will lose the points and prize money he had earned during his run to the semi-finals, with Djokovic set to take on Alex de Minaur in Tuesday’s final.
