By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Photo credit: TennisTV Screen Shot
A staggered Daniil Medvedev suggested he won’t stand for intimidation.
Suffering apparent cramps in the third set of his Beijing semifinal loss to Learner Tien, Medvedev failed to make an effort to return the American’s serve.
That act prompted chair umpire Ali Nili to hit the former world No. 1 with a code violation for lack of best effort while trailing Tien 0-1 in the final set.
A gimpy and incredulous Medvedev hobbled over to the chair, called for the supervisor and asked both men: “Why is every referee in the world trying to intimidate me?”
Cramping Daniil Medvedev gets a code violation for “not trying his best” by the ref. pic.twitter.com/VxJKKUppp2
— asud (@asud683385) September 30, 2025
“I’m giving my best effort. I’m telling you I’m giving my best effort,” Medvedev said. “Who are you to decide for me? Who are you? What’s your name? Would you rather me retire?
“Why is every referee in the world trying to intimidate me? I didn’t say one word. After US Open I’m trying to be good. This guy’s doing that and I’m supposed to act good?
“I’m supposed to act good? Why are you trying to intimidate me?”
Ultimately, Medvedev lost the argument, his physical battle and the match retiring with the 19-year-old Tien holding a 5-7, 7-5, 4-0 lead when the former No. 1 tapped out of today’s Beijing semifinals.
At 19 years, 9 months, Tien is the second youngest Beijing finalist in history after former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who was 19 years, 3 months old when he defeated Guillermo Coria in the 2005 China Open final.
“I was down 3-5 and 2-4 in the second and clawed my way back,” Tien said. “I didn’t think anything was wrong with him and then he came out of the bathroom break kind of limping, so I was not sure if he was cramping or if he was injured as he had tape on his leg.
“I think it was cramping and I have been there and it is not fun. 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.”
It is Tien’s second win of the season over Medvedev following his epic five-set triumph in the Australian Open last January and his first career ATP final.
Tien will take on Wimbledon winner Jannik Sinner in the final.
