Daniil Medvedev accuses umpire of having 'double standards against Russians'
Daniil Medvedev accused the chair umpire of having "double standards against Russians" after being dealt a code violation in his loss to Tallon Griekspoor in Dubai.
Griekspoor saved four match points before beating the top-seeded Medvedev 2-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 to reach the semi-finals, with the Russian's volatility also paving the way for the world No.47 Dutch player.
It all came to a head shortly after Medvedev lost the second set when he gave up four match points.
READ MORE: Bosnich questions Matildas' use of 'weapon' Fowler
READ MORE: Wild moment PGA Tour star confronted by alligator
READ MORE: Piastri fumes at F1 rival over clumsy testing crash
Medvedev received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, which escalated into a verbal altercation.
Medvedev: "Why did you give me a warning?"
Adel Nour, chair umpire: "You know what you said to me."
Medvedev: "You're really sensitive. What's this about? Double standards against Russians?"
Daniil Medvedev argues with the chair umpire after receiving a court violation after losing the second set against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in their quarter final match during day twelve of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 27, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty Images) Getty
Chair umpire: "Don't say something like that Daniil, I treat you all the same way."
Medvedev lost the deciding set, smashed his racquet, and exited the court without shaking the the umpire's hand.
He was asked about the exchange with the umpire post-match.
"We talked after the match. You know, what happens on the court. Sometimes I go too far," Medvedev said.
"But again, I'm not going to dwell too much on it. I wasn't happy with one of his decisions.
"It can happen, but we talked after the match. We calmed the situation, even though there was nothing heated.
"I respect him a lot. So yeah, maybe I crossed a line a bit. I don't think I said anything too bad, but maybe I went a bit too far. I received a warning and that's it".
Griekspoor had survived a first-round encounter with Roman Safiullin by saving three match points. He then eliminated defending champion Ugo Humbert on Wednesday.
"It's my best win by ranking," Griekspoor said after his quarterfinal victory over No.6 Medvedev. "Just very pleased with this win. It means a lot.
"When I won the second set, I was actually thinking 'how am I even still in this tournament?' I probably should have been on the plane to Indian Wells already. "Sometimes you've got to be a little bit lucky."
Griekspoor will meet fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas for a shot at the title. Tsitsipas beat Matteo Berrettini 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-4.
Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to set up a sem-ifinal against qualifier Quentin Halys, who eliminated Luca Nardi 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).
