Medvedev Disqualified After Ball Strikes Spectator at China Open

BEIJING — Daniil Medvedev was dramatically disqualified from his China Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic after a ball he struck into the stands hit a spectator in the front row.

The incident occurred on Monday with Djokovic leading 7-5, 5-3 and serving for the match. After Djokovic hit a winner, the ball rebounded from the back of the court toward Medvedev. The Russian then swung at it, sending it into the crowd where it struck a spectator in the face, reportedly around the eye.

The spectator was assisted from the arena by tournament staff while holding his eye. Officials subsequently consulted before deciding to default Medvedev, bringing the semifinal to an abrupt end and sending Djokovic through to the final.

Medvedev expressed regret following the incident, saying he hoped the spectator was unharmed and that he wanted to apologize personally. He maintained that the incident was accidental and said he had not intended to hit anyone in the crowd.

The decision also ended Medvedev’s run at the tournament, with the Russian set to lose the ranking points and prize money associated with his semifinal appearance.

Djokovic advances

Djokovic, who had been only a few points from completing the match when the incident occurred, expressed sympathy for both the spectator and Medvedev. The Serbian has personal experience with a similar situation: he was disqualified from the 2020 US Open after accidentally striking a line judge with a ball.

The victory extended Djokovic’s remarkable China Open record and put him into the final, where he faced Australia’s Alex de Minaur. De Minaur reached the championship match after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semifinal because of injury.

The unusual ending has renewed discussion about player conduct and the rules governing balls struck toward spectators, even when there is no apparent intention to cause harm. Sky Sports analysts noted that the tournament rules leave officials little room for discretion when a player strikes a spectator.