“If you hit someone, you're gone”: Andy Roddick backs Daniil Medvedev default after Beijing incident
ATP
Andy Roddick has backed the decision to default Daniil Medvedev from his China Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic, arguing that there was little ambiguity once the Russian's shot struck a spectator.
Medvedev was defaulted while trailing Djokovic 7-5, 5-3, 15-15 after hitting a ball into the crowd following a rally. The ball struck a spectator in the face, with the fan later seen holding his eye as he left the area.
The decision ended a dramatic semifinal with Djokovic one game away from reaching the final, where he would face Alex de Minaur. It also prompted debate about whether a default was the appropriate punishment given that Medvedev appeared to hit the ball instinctively rather than deliberately aiming at a spectator.
For Roddick, however, the key issue was not Medvedev's intention but the fact that the ball ended up hitting someone in the crowd. The former world No. 1 believes that should make the decision much more straightforward.
“As soon as someone else comes into it and you hit a fan, you're gone”
Roddick said he was initially surprised by how much attention the incident generated, believing the decision was relatively clear once the ball struck the spectator.
“My phone kind of started lighting up and it's like, Medvedev defaulted. Sure, but this is about as straightforward and not dramatic, right? He goes over, he hits it in, he was wrong,” Roddick said. “What do I say all the time? I don't care if you break your own sh**."
"Like, I don't care if you break a racket. Now, as soon as someone else comes into it and you hit a fan, you're gone, right? I mean, he caught the guy pretty good too. He was holding his eye when he walked out.”
The former US Open champion also rejected the idea that officials should have to determine whether the ball caused a serious enough injury or whether Medvedev's action was sufficiently dangerous to warrant a default.
“And for me, it's not about like, I don't like the thing where even when Novak hit the person, it was, oh, if it would have hit him in the shoulder, it would have been fine,” Roddick said. “I'm like, I don't know. Like, the act is the act. If you hit someone, you're gone. Like, let's just make a clear-cut rule where it's not like a judgment, right?”
🚨The moment when Medvedev got disqualified at the @ChinaOpen. https://t.co/5GllzQvZsG
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 5, 2026
“He knew he put himself in position to get defaulted”
Roddick was also complimentary of the officials for making the decision quickly, while suggesting Medvedev himself understood that the default was a possible consequence of what had happened.
“To Leone's credit, you know, Medvedev hits the person, Lanny comes down, has quick conversations, makes a decision. Medhi knows it's coming,” Roddick said. “Like, he's not surprised by it. And he knows he put himself in position to get defaulted. And he took it.”
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That acceptance was significant for Roddick, who did not believe the decision needed to be debated further after the fact. He also said Medvedev deserved credit if he followed through on reports that he intended to meet the spectator after the match.
The default ended the match with Djokovic leading 7-5, 5-3 and serving at 15-15, leaving him one game away from reaching the China Open final. “Meddi messed up. He deserved to be defaulted. He got defaulted. That's that,” Roddick said. “Novak was winning this match anyways,”
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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