ATP Rescinds Erroneous 'Best Effort' Violation Against Daniil Medvedev at China Open

Daniil Medvedev was controversially issued a 'Best Efforts' code violation by umpire Adel Nour during his China Open semi-final match against Learner Tien, despite visibly struggling with severe cramps that impaired his movement. Medvedev vehemently protested the warning, accusing the umpire of trying to intimidate him and questioning the fairness of the decision, sparking a heated on-court exchange and involvement from the match supervisor. The ATP later reviewed the incident, determined the violation was issued in error, and confirmed that Medvedev would face no fine or penalty. This reversal drew significant fan frustration towards the umpiring decision, highlighting ongoing tensions around officiating standards in high-stakes matches. The incident adds to Medvedev's turbulent season marked by early Grand Slam exits and prior fines, including a notable $42,500 penalty for a previous US Open meltdown. Despite his physical struggles during the match, Medvedev's refusal to retire and his fight on court underscored his competitive spirit amid controversy.