Terribly sorry: Daniil Medvedev apologizes after hitting a fan with a ball at the China Open

Daniil Medvedev has apologized to the fan he hit with the ball which led to him collapsing during his semi-final clash with Novak Djokovic at the China Open. Medvedev said it was an accident and expressed his wish to meet the fan and apologize to him in person.

Medvedev’s China Open campaign ended in controversy as he was disqualified from his semi-final against Novak Djokovic after hitting a ball into the stands that hit a spectator. The incident occurred when Djokovic was serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3, with Medvedev hitting the ball in frustration as it came back to him, sending it into the front row and apparently hitting a fan in the eye.

The spectator was immediately given medical attention and taken away from the stands. Medvedev chatted with officials who decided to release him.

“Actually, I’m terribly sorry for him and I just hope he’s okay,” Medvedev said after the incident. “That’s the most important thing. The rest, we move on. I just really care about him right now. I hope to meet him and make it up somehow.”

‘DO NOT DIE IN ANGER’

Medvedev explained the circumstances that led to the incident, claiming that he missed the ball in anger.

“It was 100% an accident,” Medvedev said. “You see I didn’t hit the ball when I was angry. The ball was bouncing back so I was trying to hit it anywhere so it wouldn’t go out of bounds.

“When I saw the result I felt terrible because again I don’t think I’ve ever been close to a situation like that. The most important thing is I hope he’s OK because you never know in those situations.”

The incident overshadowed a stellar performance by Djokovic, who is one win away from his 102nd tour title. Medvedev praised the former world number one and lamented some of his own missed chances.

“It was a difficult match for me,” admitted Medvedev. “He played really well. I felt he played like when we played our best matches. I had some opportunities that I missed. He played unbelievable, so I think he has a great chance in the final.”

The incident saw Medvedev stripped of 200 ATP ranking points and prize money from a semi-final run at the China Open, with reports estimating the loss at around US$219,295.

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