Did Daniil Medvedev Throw a Tantrum and Quit? A Look at the China Open Drama

The match started as a tense, back-and-forth battle. Medvedev, the seasoned pro, narrowly snagged the first set 7-5. But as the second set began, something was clearly off. He seemed to be struggling physically, but this is Medvedev we’re talking about—is he ever not struggling with something, be it his opponent, the crowd, or an existential crisis?

Despite his visible discomfort, he battled on, only for the 19-year-old Tien to flip the script and take the second set 7-5. The stage was set for a dramatic final set. And oh boy, did we get drama.

The third set is where the wheels completely fell off the Medvedev Express. Struggling with what appeared to be severe cramping, he was slapped with a code violation for, and I quote, “not trying his best” to return a serve. This was the spark that lit the fuse. An injured player being punished for not being able to play? You can see why he might be a little miffed.

A furious Medvedev stormed to the umpire’s chair, calling for the match supervisor like a disgruntled customer demanding to see the manager. “Why is every umpire in the world trying to intimidate me?” he fumed, a question many tennis fans have probably asked themselves about him. He was clearly in pain, visibly hobbling, but the official’s decision felt like a personal attack.

After a tense, “don’t interrupt me” exchange with the umpire while pleading his case to the supervisor, Medvedev grudgingly returned to the court. He played two more games, essentially on one leg, before deciding he was done. With Tien leading 4-0 in the final set, Medvedev walked to the net, shook his opponent’s hand, and unceremoniously retired.

Did Medvedev Make the Right Call by Retiring?

Let’s be real: retiring from a match is a tough look, especially when you do it with this much fanfare. But was he justified? The man was cramping so badly he could barely move. The code violation for not trying seemed, frankly, a bit ridiculous under the circumstances. It’s like telling a guy with two broken legs to just “walk it off.”

Tien, for his part, handled it with a maturity beyond his years. “I think it was cramping and I have been there and it is not fun,” he said post-match. “All the best to him and it is not how you want to come through a match but I am happy to be in the final.” A classy response from the kid who just got a free pass to his first-ever ATP Tour final, becoming the second-youngest finalist in the tournament’s history after some guy named Rafael Nadal.

For Medvedev, it’s another entry in his long history of on-court controversies. While his frustration was understandable, the dramatic exit is what people will remember. He had a legitimate grievance, but the way he handled it was pure, uncut Medvedev. It’s never just about the tennis with him; it’s a full-blown emotional performance, and honestly, we’re here for it. It might not win him any sportsmanship awards, but it certainly keeps things interesting.