Daniil Medvedev has apologised for hitting a spectator with a ball after he was defaulted from the China Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic.
The Russian former world number one was trailing 7-5 5-3 when he swished a loose ball into the crowd. The backhand was not particularly fierce but caught a spectator in the front row in the face, with the man having to be helped out while holding his hand to his eye.
Medvedev's Apology
“Terribly sorry to the spectator, first of all. I’m trying to get in touch with him, if he wants it,” Medvedev, 30, told reporters in Beijing. “Hopefully I can apologise in person and see how he feels.”
“I mean, 100 per cent (an) accident. You can see that I didn’t hit the ball in anger. Actually, I do a lot of bad things, but usually ball abuse is not my thing. 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. The most important (thing is), I hope that he’s OK because you never know with these types of situations.”
Djokovic's Reaction
Djokovic, who was similarly disqualified from the 2020 US Open when a ball he hit in frustration struck a line judge, told the ATP website: “It was a bit of a shock, to be honest. Sorry for the person (who was hit). I honestly didn’t see what happened. I hope that person is not badly injured.”
“On the other hand, I also feel sorry for Daniil, because I know exactly how he feels to be disqualified in a big match. I was disqualified at the 2020 US Open in similar circumstances. I am sure that Daniil didn’t want to do this intentionally. It just happens.”
Impact on Medvedev and Djokovic's Path
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. The incident overshadowed Djokovic securing a place in the final as he closes in on a potential first title of 2026.
The 39-year-old from Serbia was three points from victory when Medvedev was defaulted. Djokovic has never lost a match at the tournament, winning it six times since making his debut in 2009. He will face Australian Alex De Minaur in the final.
