China Open: Daniil Medvedev finally runs out of opportunities with a disqualification against Novak Djokovic

It’s difficult – and probably unwise – to take your eyes off Medvedev’s matches, and he is very popular with the media for his engaging, thoughtful and humorous interviews after the dust settles.

But he went too far on the field on several occasions, with much of his aggression directed at the referees.

At Wimbledon in 2017, Medvedev, 21, was so furious with some of the decisions made by umpire Mariana Alves during her second-round match that he sprinkled coins at her feet as she got off her chair.

He later apologized and denied accusing her of bias.

Two years ago, also at Wimbledon, it appeared that officials were considering defaulting Medvedev due to an outburst towards umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore.

Medvedev claimed he said something in Russian that was “not pleasant, but not excessive” – ​​and, after a discussion between the referee, the supervisor and the tournament referee, he got away with a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.

He was fined more than £60,000 for his behavior at the 2025 Australian Open, which included attempting to destroy an internet camera, and had an infamous meltdown later that year at the US Open.

On a rowdy evening in New York, Benjamin Bonzi had match point for a straight-sets victory over Medvedev in the first round when a photographer inexplicably entered the court between his first and second serves.

Referee Greg Allensworth awarded the Frenchman another first serve due to the delay, sparking fury from Medvedev.

Medvedev accused Allensworth of hoping to get a quick finish – because he is paid by the match rather than by the hour – and there was a break of more than five minutes while he whipped up the crowd.

He saved match point, but lost in five sets before obliterating his racket by repeatedly smashing it against the table next to his chair.