Daniil Medvedev was beaten by Learner Tien in the China Open semifinal, and he’s caused quite a stir once again.
In fairness, this was a game that Medvedev managed to lose despite holding a commanding position at one point.
Medvedev was leading 7-5, 5-3, but blew his chances of making the China Open final and earning a shot at Jannik Sinner.
The defeat was perhaps marred by another Medvedev spat with an umpire, this time after he received a code violation for not trying hard enough.
However, on this occasion, it would appear as though Medvedev does have some history with the umpire who was sitting in the chair.
Photo by PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty ImagesDaniil Medvedev issued apology to Adel Nour in February
This isn’t the first time that Medvedev has lashed out at umpire Adel Nour, with the two having a bit of a spat in February in Dubai.
On that occasion, however, Medvedev admitted he was in the wrong and publicly issued an apology for implying the umpire had warned him because of his nationality.
Medvedev backed down afterwards and said: “I went too far, we talked after the match. I’ve known this chair umpire for a long time and it’s not because of him. All chair umpires don’t care about where you’re from or who you are.
“They’re just trying to do their best. There will always be someone who is targeted, but I said on the spur of the moment.
“I apologised. To be honest, I don’t remember exactly what I said to him. I’m not sure if I said anything that might have offended him, but if so, I apologised to him.”
Medvedev defended after latest Adel Nour argument
On this occasion, it might be a case for Nour to apologise to Medvedev after clearly getting this one wrong.
The Russian was struggling badly with cramp in the deciding set, and Miles Maclagan felt Medvedev was hard done by.
Furthermore, the ATP have confirmed that Medvedev’s warning was indeed an error, with the New York Times reporting the news last night.
Medvedev is never afraid to tell the umpires what he thinks, but after this incident in his match against Tien, it would appear that he was actually hard done by.
Maybe his reputation went before him on this occasion, and next season, with a few more wins, Medvedev’s tennis can start grabbing the headlines instead of this sort of stuff.