"I get a warning for nothing": Daniil Medvedev threatens to stop playing during Paris Masters defeat

Thursday, 05 November 2026 at 06:30

Daniil Medvedev's difficult relationship with the Paris Masters continued on Wednesday, as the former world No. 1 suffered another early exit in the French capital. The Russian was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Ignacio Buse in his opening match, but the result was not the only talking point from his afternoon in Paris.

Medvedev has now lost in the second round in four of the last five editions of the tournament, extending a disappointing run at an event where he has previously reached the final.

His latest defeat also featured a heated exchange with tournament officials during a changeover, after an incident on court prompted a warning from chair umpire Adel Nour. The Russian was visibly frustrated and questioned the decision in front of the cameras.

The discussion escalated as Medvedev addressed both Nour and tournament supervisor Cédric Mourier, with the exchange touching on his physical condition and whether he would continue playing.

Medvedev questions warning and threatens to stop playing

Medvedev initially directed his frustration towards Mourier, asking what would happen if he retired from the match and explaining that he was experiencing significant pain in his legs.

“If I retire, what do I get? My legs hurt really badly. I'm in a lot of pain, I can't play. Do we call the physio? Physio!”

When Mourier asked whether he was going to continue, Medvedev made clear that he was unhappy with the warning and insisted that he wanted medical assistance.

“No! That's a racket scrape and I get an unsportsmanlike warning for nothing? I don't feel like playing, I'm calling the physio," the 30-year-old player said in perfect French. "I just tore something in my leg. If the physio decides there's nothing wrong, I'll play. But I tore my adductor, and I've been playing for seven weeks.”

The conversation then shifted towards the incident itself, with Medvedev addressing chair umpire Nour and questioning why his actions had resulted in a penalty. The Russian argued that he had been treated unfairly and challenged the number of times the umpire claimed he had scraped the court.

“I can't hit the ground? Every time it's something new? How many times? Five times? What happens if it's not five? Do you apologize after the match?”

According to the explanation given during the exchange, the umpire had counted five gestures towards the ground, as well as two marks left on the court. Medvedev disputed that account, pointing out the difference between the number of gestures and the marks themselves. He eventually ended the discussion with another pointed question: “Were you not on the court or what?”

C’était tendu entre Medvedev et l’arbitre sur le court n°1… Suivez #RolexParisMasters en intégralité sur Eurosport et HBO Max https://t.co/fVp3mxBRmO
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) November 4, 2026

‘I don't want to play anymore’: Medvedev admits frustration with the season

The confrontation was not the only indication of Medvedev's frustration in Paris. After his elimination, the Russian was asked about his feelings towards the remainder of the season, with the ATP Finals approaching in two weeks.

His response suggested that his motivation was running low after a demanding campaign. Despite having one more major tournament on the calendar, Medvedev admitted that he would rather bring his season to an end. “I don't want to play anymore this season, but I have to.”

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The comment adds another layer to a disappointing week for the Russian, who arrived in Paris hoping to build momentum before the season-ending championships. Instead, he leaves after a straight-sets defeat to Buse and an increasingly tense exchange with the officials.

Medvedev has repeatedly struggled to make a deep run at the Paris Masters in recent years, and his latest appearance ended earlier than he would have expected. With the ATP Finals approaching, the question now is whether he can put the frustration of this week behind him and finish the season on a more positive note.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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