Medvedev disqualified after hitting spectator with ball during Djokovic match

Monday, 5 October 2026 18:51

Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his ‌China Open semi-final clash with Novak Djokovic after hitting a spectator in the face with a ball.

World No 5 Medvedev was trailing the ⁠match 7-5 ⁠5-3 and had lost a ‌point when he hit the ball ‌that had bounced off the back wall into the crowd, striking a spectator in the eye.

The fan covered his left eye ⁠as he walked out of ⁠the gallery, assisted by stadium staff.

Medvedev told reporters afterwards that he was "terribly sorry to the spectator, first of all," adding that the incident was "100% an accident" and that he wished to apologise to the fan in person.

Djokovic, who was disqualified at the 2020 US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball, said afterwards: "I hope that person is not badly injured.

"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."

After speaking to umpire Mohamed Lahyani and an ATP official, Russia's Medvedev walked to the net to shake hands with Djokovic.

Prior to Medvedev being defaulted, he and Djokovic had played for just under two-and-a-half hours.

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As well as missing out on a place in the final, Medvedev will lose all his points and prize money from his run to the semi-finals

Djokovic said: "It was a gruelling battle that I definitely didn't want to take to a third set. It was looking like that."

"It always is a big battle with Daniil, and it's so hard to play him when he's feeling the ball well, and in slower conditions, and big serve...I always believe in myself... I felt like I played really well in training sessions, but obviously it's different when you play an official match," he added.

Both semi-finals ended prematurely in Beijing as Hubert Hurkacz retired with an adductor ⁠injury earlier on Monday.

Djokovic will play Alex de Minaur in Tuesday's championship match.

Sky News