Daniil Medvedev Defaulted for Hitting Spectator with Ball
Locker Room
October 5, 2026
Daniil Medvedev was already on the point of defeat when his bad behaviour ended all doubt.
The Russian angrily swiped a ball into the crowd after losing an exchange with Novak Djokovic at the death. It hit a Chinese spectator in the face.
The victim slumped, temporarily stunned, and eventually had to be escorted from the stadium.
The umpire and referee had no choice but to call time on Medvedev, who was second best anyway against the evergreen Serb.
Djokovic was winning 7-5, 5-3 when the incident occurred at 15-15 while Novak served for the match.
Now Novak will play Katie Boulter’s husband, Alex de Minaur, in what promises to be an absorbing China final.
The lovable Australian was winning 6-4, 3-2 when his opponent Hubert Hurkacz had to retire in the other semi-final.
Daniil Medvedev will doubtless arrive at Wimbledon 2027 fully rehabilitated – and hoping to do himself justice at long last on grass. He has never reached the final.
And yet the flamboyant former world number one never ceases either to shock or entertain, such is the level of unpredictability that surrounds him.
We mustn’t let the incident overshadow an enthralling war of attrition at the China Open. Djokovic simply refused to be overrun.
He played a level of tennis that defied time, rolled back the years and made you wonder whether he might just be capable of one more year on tour after all.
Novak did better in the long rallies than the younger Medvedev. His timing was perfect. Djokovic refused to trust to chance and let the first set go to a breaker.
And he held firm to break in the second when he looked on the point of collapse at certain moments. Only that deserved moment of a glorious climax eluded him.
Novak said, ‘It’s a bit of a shock to be honest. Sorry for the person who was hurt. I honestly didn’t see it. I hope the person it not badly injured.
‘On the other hand I feel sorry for Daniil. I know exactly how it feels to be disqualified in a big match. I was disqualified in the 2020 US Open in similar circumstances.
‘I’m sure Daniil didn’t want to do this intentionally. It just happens.
‘I was three points away from the win. It was a gruelling battle. I definitely didn’t want to take this battle to a third set. It was looking like that. I don’t know how many break points I saved.
‘It was crazy. There’s something about Beijing that keeps me going.’
That’s an understatement. Djokovic has now won 33 matches in succession in Beijing, where he is revered and adored in equal measure.
If he were to win the title here, he would be just one triumph away from equalling Roger Federer’s total of 103. Jimmy Connors looks out of reach on 109.
Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur will all be ready to make their mark at Wimbledon 2027. Will you be there?
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