Medvedev defaulted at China Open after ball hits spectator, Djokovic walks into final
Synopsis
Daniil Medvedev's China Open semifinal ended not with a handshake but a default — after a stray ball struck a fan near the left eye, the rules left no room for intent. Djokovic, three points from losing that game, walked into the final. Medvedev faces a prize-money forfeiture exceeding USD 220,000 and an uncomfortable echo of Djokovic's own 2020 US Open default.
Key Takeaways
Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from the China Open semifinal in Beijing on 6 October after accidentally striking a spectator near the left eye with the ball.
The incident occurred with Medvedev trailing 5-7, 3-5 at 15-15 in the ninth game of the second set.
Novak Djokovic , who had been just three points from losing that game, was awarded a walkover into the final.
Medvedev will forfeit prize money exceeding USD 220,000 under tournament rules.
Medvedev said the incident was '100 per cent an accident' and expressed concern for the spectator's wellbeing.
Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from the China Open semifinal in Beijing on 6 October after he accidentally struck a spectator near the left eye with a ball, handing Novak Djokovic a walkover into the final. The incident occurred with Medvedev trailing 5-7, 3-5 and the score at 15-15 in the ninth game of the second set.
How the Incident Unfolded
After the ball bounced back to him off the wall, Medvedev instinctively struck it toward the crowd. The ball connected with a fan around the left eye, triggering an immediate default under tournament rules. Djokovic, who had been just three points away from losing that game, was awarded the result without completing the match.
What Medvedev Said
'I feel terribly sorry for him actually, and I just hope he's okay,' Medvedev told reporters following the incident. 'That's the most important. The rest, we move on. I just really care about him right now. Hopefully I can meet him and make up for it somehow.'
The 2021 US Open champion was emphatic that the act was unintentional. 'It was 100 per cent an accident,' he said. 'You can see that I didn't hit the ball in anger… The ball was bouncing back, so I tried to just hit it anywhere, so it wouldn't go out of the court. When I saw the result, I felt horrible because, again, I don't think I was ever close to such a situation.'
Financial and Competitive Consequences
Under tournament regulations, Medvedev will forfeit his prize money from the event — a sum that could exceed USD 220,000 (approximately ₹1.84 crore). This is one of the more severe financial penalties seen at an ATP Masters-level event in recent memory. The default also ends his campaign at the China Open, a tournament he had been competing strongly in despite the difficult scoreline.
Djokovic's Path to the Final
Despite the unusual manner of his progression, Djokovic drew praise from Medvedev himself. 'He played really well. I felt he played like when we played our best matches. I had some opportunities, which I missed. He played incredibly, so I think he has big chances in the final,' the Russian said. The Serb now moves forward as the favourite heading into the China Open final.
Wider Context
Player defaults for accidentally hitting spectators are rare but not unprecedented on the ATP Tour — most notably, Novak Djokovic himself was defaulted from the 2020 US Open after striking a line judge with a ball in frustration. That incident sparked wide debate about intent versus consequence in default decisions. Medvedev's situation, though clearly accidental, draws an unavoidable parallel, and the sport's rules leave little room for discretion once a spectator is struck. Tournament officials and the ATP are yet to issue a formal statement on the fan's medical condition.
Point of View
Because the lack of anger is visually evident. The deeper question is whether the sport needs a graduated penalty framework that can distinguish a rage-fuelled strike from a reflexive tap. Forfeiting over USD 220,000 with no apparent intent is a consequence that could prompt the ATP to revisit the rule, even if it chooses not to change it.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Daniil Medvedev defaulted at the China Open?
Medvedev was defaulted after he instinctively hit a ball toward the crowd during his semifinal against Novak Djokovic, and the ball struck a spectator near the left eye. Under ATP tournament rules, hitting a spectator with the ball results in an automatic default, regardless of intent.
What happens to Medvedev's prize money after the default?
Medvedev will forfeit his prize money from the China Open as a consequence of the default, a sum that could exceed USD 220,000. Prize forfeiture is standard procedure in cases of player default under ATP regulations.
What did Medvedev say about hitting the spectator?
Medvedev called the incident '100 per cent an accident' and expressed genuine concern for the fan's health. He told reporters: 'I feel terribly sorry for him actually, and I just hope he's okay. Hopefully I can meet him and make up for it somehow.'
How does Djokovic benefit from Medvedev's default?
Djokovic received a walkover into the China Open final after the default. Notably, he had been just three points away from losing the game when the incident occurred, making the progression particularly dramatic.
Has a similar default incident happened before in tennis?
Yes — Novak Djokovic himself was defaulted from the 2020 US Open after striking a line judge with a ball during a match, an incident that also renewed debate about the sport's default rules. Medvedev's case differs in that the act was clearly reflexive rather than born of frustration.
