Daniil Medvedev issues apology after disqualification from China Open 2026

Daniel Medvedev was disqualified from the China Open semi final after an unfortunate incident during his match against Novak Djokovic.

During the match, Djokovic was serving for the win at 7-5 5-3 when Medvedev, frustrated by the ball coming back towards him, hit it away. The ball struck a fan in the first row near the eye, prompting officials to default Medvedev immediately. Following the decision, Medvedev approached the net to shake hands with Djokovic despite the somber moment.

This incident has strong echoes of a similar event from 2020, when Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball. Medvedev expressed his regret and apologized sincerely to the affected spectator, hoping to make personal amends. The incident not only ended Medvedev’s China Open run but also resulted in the loss of 2 ATP ranking points and prize money estimated at $219,295.

The situation underlines how tension runs high in big matches and how even top players can have moments of frustration that lead to serious consequences. Despite the disappointment, Medvedev showed sportsmanship in accepting the ruling and apologizing. This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the intense pressure in professional tennis and the importance of keeping composure during critical moments.