Djokovic Into Beijing Final After Medvedev Disqualified for Hitting Spectator

Novak Djokovič advanced to the China Open final on October 5, 2026, after his opponent Daniil Medvedev was disqualified during the second set for hitting a spectator with a tennis ball in Beijing. Djokovič led 7:5, 5:3 with a score of 15:15 in the ninth game when the incident occurred. The match ended abruptly when Medvedev struck an errant ball into the stands following a lost point, striking a spectator in the eye.

The Disqualification of Daniil Medvedev in Beijing

The confrontation took place in the ninth game of the second set as Djokovič served for the match. After Medvedev lost a point on a winning volley, the ball rebounded from the back wall toward him, prompting the Russian player to hit it angrily high into the front row of the stands. The injured fan required medical attention and left the stands in pain accompanied by tournament staff. Tournament supervisor and chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani consulted on the incident and determined that tournament rules required Medvedev’s immediate default. Medvedev accepted the decision without protesting and left the court quickly. Under ATP rules, the disqualification strips Medvedev of all ranking points and prize money earned at the tournament.

Contrasting Outlets and Prior Incidents

Different regional outlets emphasized distinct details of the immediate aftermath. The spectator was struck specifically in the eye and required treatment, while the exact 15:15 scoreline in the ninth game when the ball was struck was detailed. Medvedev walked away quickly after shaking hands, whereas his unusually quiet exit compared to his typical on-court debates was emphasized. The disqualification drew immediate comparisons to Djokovič’s own default at the 2020 US Open, where the Serbian player was disqualified after inadvertently hitting a linesperson with a ball, a parallel noted across reports.

Reactions from Djokovič and Medvedev

Following the abrupt end to the semifinal, both players addressed the crowd and press regarding the accident. Djokovič expressed surprise and concern for the spectator in his post-match comments.

Jsem trochu v šoku. Je mi líto toho diváka, snad není zraněný. Je mi líto i Daniila, protože moc dobře vím, jaké to je být za toto diskvalifikován. Byl jsem tři míčky od výhry a byla to dneska neskutečná bitva

Novak Djokovič / [Source]

Medvedev also expressed regret for the incident and stated his intention to check on the fan.

V první řadě je mi toho diváka hrozně líto. Byla to stoprocentně nešťastná náhoda

Daniil Medvedev / [Source]

Medvedev added he wanted to contact the spectator personally to apologize and check on his condition.

The China Open Final Against Alex de Minaur

Djokovič will face ninth-ranked Alex de Minaur in the final. De Minaur advanced to the title match after his opponent, Hubert Hurkacz, retired due to injury while trailing 6:4, 3:2. De Minaur seeks his 12th career ATP title in his third singles final of the season, while Djokovič aims for his seventh title in Beijing and the 102nd title of his career.

Open Questions Regarding Spectator Condition

While tournament officials enforced the default under ATP regulations, the exact medical status of the injured spectator after receiving initial treatment remains unconfirmed in official tournament bulletins beyond reports that he required assistance and left the arena. Whether Medvedev’s outreach to the spectator will occur publicly or privately is not yet known.