The ATP has confirmed that Daniil Medvedev will not be fined after he received a ‘best efforts’ code violation at the China Open. The world No. 18 was visibly struggling against Learner Tien in Tuesday’s semi-final and received a warning for not showing enough effort early in the third set.
Medvedev stormed to the chair and called the supervisor, claiming “every referee in the world” was trying to “intimidate” him. Three games later, the cramping Russian was forced to retire, sending his opponent into the final.
The ATP has since confirmed that the warning was issued in error, and Medvedev will not be fined for the code violation.
In a statement, the governing body for men’s tennis said: “Upon reviewing the incident during Daniil Medvedev’s semi-final match in Beijing, ATP Officiating has determined that the ‘Best Efforts’ code violation was issued in error. This was communicated to Medvedev and his team following the match, and no fine will be imposed.”
Medvedev had one foot in the final when he led by a set and a break, even serving for the match. But Tien stormed back to win the last four games of the second set to take it 7-5 and force a decider.
The former finalist was clearly cramping as they started the second set. Medvedev was broken immediately and could barely move around the court as he attempted to play on.
In the second game of the set, the former world No. 1 let one of Tien’s serves fly past him and started limping to the other side of the court. He suddenly received a code violation for showing a lack of effort and looked bewildered, calling the supervisor to the court.
They convened below umpire Adel Nour’s chair. “If I say something bad I get disqualified, but what am I supposed to tell this guy?” Medvedev said. The chair official tried to interject, but the Russian added: “You don’t talk now.”
The supervisor allowed the umpire the opportunity to explain why he issued the warning, and Nour was heard saying there was “no movement” from Medvedev, but the former US Open champion wasn’t having it.
“So you prefer that I retire? Just say it in the camera, that you prefer that the guys are retiring,” he replied. “It’s good, like this I can talk to you for 10 minutes now and maybe I’m not cramping anymore after 10 minutes.
“I’m giving my best effort, so why the hell is he saying I’m not giving best effort? I’m telling you I’m giving my best efforts, who are you to decide for me? Who are you? What’s your name?”
Turning to the supervisor, Medvedev argued that he was trying to behave after the US Open, which saw him fined just over £31k after a fiery first-round exit.
He continued: “I’m going to do something bad, I’m not allowed to because I’m disqualified. Why is every referee in the world trying to intimidate me? I didn’t say one word. After US Open I’m trying to be good, and this guy is doing that? And I’m supposed to act good? Why is he trying to intimidate me? What’s your problem?”
Medvedev returned to the baseline to continue the match, shaking his head in disbelief. He attempted to play through the cramps but ultimately retired with Tien leading 5-7 7-5 4-0.
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