Daniil Medvedev was involved in yet another blazing courtside row with an umpire at the China Open after being accused of not trying during his semi-final match against talented teenager Learner Tien – just weeks after his infamous US Open meltdown.
The Russian star has endured a challenging season, with the top-10 fixture slipping down the rankings amid a slew of early Grand Slam exits.
But tensions appeared to boil over in dramatic fashion at Flushing Meadows at the end of August, when Medvedev was responsible for a dramatic minutes-long delay 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.
Despite his best efforts to keep a lid on his temper throughout his travails in Beijing, Medvedev found himself pushed to the limits late on during his match-up with Tien.
Daniil Medvedev found himself involved in yet another courtside argument with an umpire
The Russian star was caught up in a drama at the US Open when he controversially stopped play for several minutes
The world No 18 had been enjoying a strong game against the 19-year-old, who despatched him during the Australian Open in January, winning the first set before narrowly losing the second.
But midway through the opening game in the third, Medvedev appeared to be afflicted with cramp, struggling to move with ease and allowing Tien to merely return the ball in to score free points.
Rather than call the medic however, Medvedev opted to play on, only to be issued a warning for ‘best effort’ – appearing not to try – when he failed to stop an ace from Tien.
Stopped in his tracks, Medvedev stared down umpire Adel Nour, before limping his way over to the umpire’s chair and starting to mount his defence.
Nour had called over the supervisor, who came rushing over to receive Medvedev’s argument, with the star saying: ‘If I tell him (Nour) something bad, I get disqualified. But what am I supposed to tell him?’
As Nour attempted to defend his call, Medvedev snapped back: ‘You don’t talk now.’
The supervisor tried to explain the decision, with Nour chipping in, before Medvedev interrupted: ‘You prefer that I retire? Say to the guys and the cameras that you prefer I retire.
‘I’m giving my best effort so why the hell are you saying I’m not giving my best effort.
Medvedev argued that he should have not been penalised with the ‘best effort’ warning and that the umpire was trying to ‘intimidate’ him
The 29-year-old had struggled with cramp during the match and was unable to move easily
‘Who are you to decide for me? Who are you? What’s your name?’
‘I’m not going to continue. I want to do something bad, but I can’t, because then 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? I’m supposed to act good? I’m supposed to act good? Why are you still trying to intimidate me? What’s your problem with me?’
The crowd threw its weight behind Medvedev, applauding the former US Open champion’s defence efforts, as he walked back to his position shaking his head.
But while the player was unable to continue for much longer, retiring 4-0 down in the decider, Medvedev was ultimately vindicated and will not face a fine.
The rule, designed to stop players from throwing a match or ‘tanking’, could subject players to a fine worth up to $40,000 for any potential violation.
The former US Open champion was eventually forced to retire when he was unable to continue
But unlike his clash with Greg Allensworth in New York (pictured) he was not handed a fine
But within hours of the incident, the ATP issued a statement via a spokesperson stating: ‘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.’
On the heels of his blow-up in New York, Medvedev made the bullish claim that he was being unfairly targeted by umpires with regard to his on-court conduct.
‘They fine guys like me much more than other guys,’ said Medvedev. ‘(Nick) Kyrgios, me, (Alexander) Bublik. Who else? Reilly (Opelka). Even if Reilly is a nice guy, and they fine him just because they don’t like him.’
