Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from the China Open after hitting a spectator in the face with a ball during his semi-final against Novak Djokovic. The third seed was trailing 7-5, 5-3 when the Serbian player hit a winner past him at 15-15.
The ball bounced off the back of the court, and Medvesev, in a fit of anger, swung his racquet, sending the ball into the air and striking a spectator sitting in the front row behind him. The fan ducked, holding his face, as he was escorted out of the arena. After speaking with referee Mohamed Lahyani and an ATP official, the Russian player approached the net to shake hands with Djokovic.
"Above all, I am deeply sorry to the spectator," Medvedev said. "I am trying to contact him, if he is willing. I hope I can apologise to him in person and see how he is feeling."
Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open in 2020 following a similar incident. "Honestly, it is a bit of a shock. I hope that person is not seriously injured," said Djokovic. "I feel for Dani. I know exactly what it is like to be disqualified in a big match. I am sure Dani did not intend to do that."
Disqualifications in tennis are rare and occur only when players breach the code of conduct. The infractions include ball abuse, physical or verbal abuse, and racquet abuse. Players can receive three warnings, but Medvedev's infraction was serious enough to warrant immediate disqualification. As a result, he will lose the points and prize money he earned by reaching the semi-finals in Beijing.
The 30-year-old had previously fallen at the US Open, where he was fined nearly £31,500 ($42,500) for his conduct. In April, Medvedev broke his racquet after losing 6-0, 6-0 at the Monte Carlo Masters and was again penalised for unsporting behaviour. Medvedev told BBC Sport in 2025 that he was trying to work on his behaviour on court. "When I am on the court, I hate losing; I love winning. My first goal is to win the match, so it brings out a lot of adrenaline and energy," he said. "Sometimes it is good energy. Sometimes bad."
The disqualification brought an early end to an excellent match, in which the 39-year-old Djokotic played brilliantly and overcame his opponent, who was nine years younger. Djokovic saved 16 out of 18 break points and will play Alex de Minaur in the final on Tuesday. Djokovic has a 33-0 record at the China Open, where he has won the title six times. He has won a title every year since 2006, and Tuesday will be his first final since the Australian Open, where he lost to then world number one Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. Djokovic reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon, losing to the eventual champion Jannik Sinner, but dropped out of the third round of the French Open before suffering a shock defeat in the first round of the US Open.
The defending champion Alcaraz overcame fluctuations in form to beat Jaume Munar and reach the final of the Japan Open. The seven-time Grand Slam champion struggled with his serve throughout the match, but gradually raised his level of play and won 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. The Spanish player led 5-3 in the first set and served for the set before losing 16 consecutive points and failing to win the set. Alcaraz will play Jiri Lehecka in the final, after the Czech defeated Monaco's Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-2.
