(VIDEO) “I think you’ve got that wrong”: Jack Draper questions hindrance call during Medvedev match at Indian Wells

Daniil Medvedev’s quarter-final victory over Jack Draper at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells featured a controversial moment that quickly became one of the most discussed incidents of the match. A rare hindrance ruling following a video review awarded a key point to the Russian late in the second set, drawing loud boos from the crowd.

Medvedev eventually sealed a 6-1, 7-5 victory to advance to the semi-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 event. Draper, the defending champion at Indian Wells after winning the title in 2025, had entered the match looking to continue his run following a notable victory over Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament.

The disputed moment occurred deep in the second set with Medvedev leading 6-1 and the score tied at 5-5, with Draper trailing 0-15. During a rally, Draper raised his arms immediately after striking a shot while the point was still in progress. The rally continued for several additional exchanges before Medvedev eventually hit the ball into the net.

Rather than moving on to the next point, Medvedev immediately asked for a video review, arguing that Draper’s gesture had distracted him during the rally.

Officials reviewed the footage and determined that Draper’s arm motion constituted a hindrance. Under the rules, if a player makes a movement that is deemed distracting during an active rally, the opponent can be awarded the point.

The decision surprised many inside the stadium, particularly because the rally had continued for several shots after the gesture occurred. When the ruling was announced, sections of the crowd reacted with loud boos while Draper walked toward the chair umpire to question the decision.

Video replay showed Draper lifting his arms shortly after striking the ball. The chair umpire explained that the key factor was whether Medvedev had seen the movement during the rally and whether it could reasonably have caused a distraction.

“If it really obstructed him, then fair enough,” Draper said during the exchange with the umpire.

The British player, however, expressed doubt that the movement had affected the rally.

“We play through it all the time and there’s no way it distracted him enough.”

The chair umpire also noted that video review now allows officials to revisit situations during a rally and determine whether interference occurred. If the movement is considered unusual and visible to the opponent, it can be ruled a hindrance even if the point continues afterward.

The discussion lasted several minutes as the crowd remained vocal, with the noise inside the stadium making parts of the exchange difficult to hear clearly. Play eventually resumed, and Medvedev maintained control of the match before closing out the second set 7-5 to secure his place in the semi-finals.

At the net, Draper acknowledged the result but again referenced the disputed moment during the handshake. “You won the match fair and square, but I don't think it distracted you enough.”

Medvedev responded briefly to Draper’s comment as the players left the court. “I don't feel great. I understand.”

With the win, Medvedev advanced to the semi-finals at Indian Wells, where he will face the winner of the quarter-final match between Carlos Alcaraz and Cameron Norrie.