Daniil Medvedev was heard asking whether a ball girl would be able to remove his sweat soaked shirt as he battled cramp in brutal conditions in Shanghai.
The former world number one was embroiled in another gruelling match against rising American star Learner Tien, who had beaten him in their previous two encounters.
Medvedev had been forced to retire from their semi-final match at the China Open last week due to cramp – with the ATP later rescinding a ‘best effort’ violation imposed by the umpire which had led to an on-court row.
The 29-year-old struggled with cramp against during a second set tie-break against Tien in Shanghai on Wednesday, which contributed to the American forcing the match into a decider.
Medvedev was seen receiving a massage from a physio during the changeover before the third set, with the seated star then seen attempting to remove his sweat-soaked shirt.
Turning to the umpire, Medvedev was heard saying ‘Sorry can I ask the ball girl to remove my shirt, I’m cramping here. I need to change my shirt.’
Daniil Medvedev was heard asking if a ball girl could remove his sweaty shirt as he struggled with cramp during his match against Learner Tien at the Shanghai Masters
ATP supervisor Gerry Armstrong was seen intervening to help remove Medvedev’s shirt
Fans noted Armstrong’s reaction as he wiped his hands with a towel after helping Medvedev
Medvedev was told ‘If someone is happy to do it’, with the star responding ‘I can try, but I am cramping’.
The Russian was ultimately helped by ATP supervisor Gerry Armstrong, with the English official seen peeling off his shirt and placing it behind him. Medvedev was heard thanking the official, who was seen wiping his hands with a towel.
Fans were quick to question Medvedev’s request, with one writing ‘Why asking the ball kid to remove his shirt, while another added ‘that’s so so disgusting’.
Several noted the exasperated expression of Armstrong when he removed Medvedev’s shirt.
‘The guy is Gerry Armstrong, longtime umpire and now Tour Supervisor for ATP. He’s probably seen his fair share of spoiled players in his career, but someone as childish and arrogant as Medvedev, I’m not sure,’ one wrote.
Another said ‘That’s Gerry Armstrong, legendary chair umpire, being reduced to a player servant.’
Medvedev ultimately battled through to win 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals, before failing Tien as a potential future world No 1.
The Russian will face Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the last eight as he seeks a positive end to a difficult season after several early Grand Slam exits.
Medvedev ultimately recovered from cramp to beat Tien in a hard fought three set match
The Russian claimed the rising star has the potential to be a future world number one
Danish star Holger Rune had questioned whether organisers ‘want a player to die’ this week amid ‘extreme’ conditions in the Chinese city
The latest had seen Medvedev crash out of the US Open first round in stunning fashion after whipping the New York crowd into a frenzy.
Medvedev had seen his match disrupted as opponent Benjamin Bonzi served for match point in the third set when a photographer bizarrely walked onto the court.
But as the 29-year-old erupted in anger over the intrusion, he also baited fans into booing the umpire’s call – and received a punchy £31,500 ($42,500) fine for his antics.
Medvedev’s struggles with the hot and humid conditions in China were the latest in a serious of incidents this week.
On Tuesday, Danish star Holger Rune questioned ATP official Armstrong during a medical time out about the conditions.
‘Why doesn’t the ATP have a heat rule? You want a player to die on the court?’ Rune was heard saying, with Armstrong replying ‘I don’t know, it’s a good question.’
Rune’s comment mirrored a statement from Medvedev at the 2023 US Open, when he turned to a camera during a match and said ‘You cannot imagine, one player is going to die and then they are going to see.’
In a statement to the Guardian after Rune’s comments, an ATP spokesperson said: ‘Under ATP rules, decisions regarding the suspension of play due to weather conditions – including extreme heat – lie with the on-site ATP supervisor, in coordination with on‑site medical teams and local authorities.
Novak Djokovic has vomited a number of times on court as temperatures soared in Shanghai
Jannik Sinner was forced to retire from his match this week as he succumbed to cramp
Emma Raducanu was forced to retire from her match in Wuhan amid stifling temperatures
Dayana Yastremska was forced to retire as the heat took hold in Wuhan earlier this week
‘In parallel, the ATP medical services team implements several measures in cases of extreme heat, to help protect player health during competition.
‘This remains under active review and additional measures including the implementation of an official heat policy are currently being evaluated in consultation with players, tournaments, and medical experts. Player safety remains a top priority for the ATP.’
Novak Djokovic has been among the most prominent voice to openly discuss the issues with playing in the ‘brutal conditions’ in Shanghai after he vomited in both of his matches at the tournament so far.
World No 2 Jannik Sinner had retired on Sunday after being overcome with cramp, barely able to walk to his chair after seizing up.
Britain’s Emma Raducanu was forced to retire after struggling with illness amid 32-degree temperatures in Wuhan.
Dayana Yastremska and Jelena Ostapenko are among other players to have been forced to withdraw, with the latter stating that she had suffered from ‘heatstroke’.
