In the third game of the final set, Medvedev struck a smash straight at Bublik, who was somehow able to put the ball back in play despite finding himself on the floor. Medvedev apologized to his opponent before finishing the point with a smash.
But chair umpire Aurelie Tourte called it a ‘hindrance,’ as the Russian’s apology came while the point was still in progress.
While Tourte followed the rule book, Medvedev was left rather bemused as he felt Bublik, who was on the ground without a racket, had no chance of returning the Russian’s shot. Medvedev labeled the call “stupid” and then went on to jokingly suggest that the chair umpire should be fined.
Speaking to the media after the match, the World No. 2 admitted the incident was “funny.” Medvedev said he did not initially know what the word “hindrance” meant and that he had to look it up on Google. The Russian also insisted that the rule was problematic.
“I don’t care about hype at all” - Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev has featured heavily in the ATP’s videos on social media for a variety of reasons, ranging from his incredible shot-making to his on-court meltdowns.
When asked if being constantly in the headlines “amped” him, the Russian responded in the negative and said his sole focus was on playing “good tennis.”
Have to follow what Novak Djokovic does: Daniil Medvedev on getting over Olympics disappointment
Daniil Medvedev came into the Masters 1000 event in Toronto on the back of a quarterfinal defeat by Pablo Carreno Busta at the Tokyo Olympics. The Russian, the second seed in the Japanese capital, was one of the favorites to take home a medal.
When asked about how he had regrouped after his disappointing loss in Tokyo, Medvedev cited the example of Novak Djokovic and how the Serb had bounced back from similar setbacks in the past.
Medvedev insisted that his focus was now on winning the ongoing National Bank Open, as well as the upcoming Cincinnati Masters and US Open.
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