'This is a joke' Tennis world erupts over 'strange' chair umpire call
Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Bublik were involved in a hilarious tennis rally, before the chair umpire intervened in a divisive call that infuriated the Russian.
Medvedev was gobsmacked in the deciding set of his 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win at the Toronto Open when the chair umpire called hindrance against the Russian for speaking during the point.
'SAD NEWS': Tennis fans gutted over Rafa Nadal announcement
'DISGRACE': Uproar over $500,000 for Margaret Court's church
The World No.2 was a set-all with Bublik when he was brought to the net in the third game.
Medvedev volleyed straight at Bublik, who fell down as he remarkably returned the ball straight back at the Russian.
The World No.2 had enough time to apologise to Bublik as the ball hung in the air.
Medvedev finished off the point with a smash as Bublik remained on the ground.
However, much to the surprise of both players, the chair umpire intervened and called the point for Bublik.
The umpire followed the rules and deemed Medvedev's apology had breached the hindrance rule and thus could be deemed to have put Bublik off his shot.
This is despite Bublik remaining on the ground and dropping his racquet.
Daniil Medvedev tees off at chair umpire over hindrance call
Both players burst into laughter, until Medvedev realised the call and expressed his frustration to a laughing Bublik.
"Can you imagine how stupid this call is?" Medvedev said in disbelief.
He then turned to the chair umpire and said: "This is going to be on TennisTV," which it was.
This sent Bublik into a fit of laughter.
"He's laughing at you. This is unbelievable what you have done," Medvedev told the umpire.
Medvedev then hopefully asked the umpire if the pair replay the point.
But, she replied Bublik one the point because of the hindrance.
Fans were divided over the call as many claimed the chair umpire was only following the rules, while others implored discretion needed to be used in some cases.
Bublik won this point‼️ (hindrance) #NBO21 #medvedev pic.twitter.com/wjrXz37AH9
— Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) August 10, 2021
And that's never a hinderance in a trillion eternities! Joke decision from the umpire!
Yes Medvedev talked during the point but Bublik hit the ball before Medvedev said sorry and by rule that is not classed as a hinderance! https://t.co/vnpaOqDNr0— 🏴DJ Gandolfini🏴 (@djk29_) August 10, 2021
Medvedev knew this was gonna be everywhere.
And bit of a strange call. Cause Medvedev was gonna hit it so how could him speaking hinder his own shot?
Could have been a let for it but eh— Not_So_Super_Fraz (@NotSoSuperFraz) August 10, 2021
What a terrible call, surprised Med didn’t go crazy
— Match Point (@MatchPo1ntBets) August 10, 2021
This call was that ridiculous, that medvedev didn’t even go crazy lmao
— Vin(Nivek) (@Kshulca97) August 10, 2021
Terrible call!!
— Mandon Lovett (@mandonlovett) August 10, 2021
Welp she is put in a tough spot because THE RULES SAY THAT'S NOT ALLOWED...
But come one man😂😂— ⚪ (@klmnopqqq) August 10, 2021
She followed the rules but her call was so delayed I thought she was calling hindrance on Bublik for his racket smashing the floor when he fell. For it to be for Medvedev is ridiculous as Bublik had no chance of getting the ball. It was crazy but funny as hell.
— what's the craic? (@whatsthecraic1) August 10, 2021
This is a joke. There has to be some common sense here! @DaniilMedwed being a good guy saying sorry (appropriate while in Canada) not affecting the point whatsoever!Come on! #sorryEh 🍁
— Stephen Hall (@Stephen_Hall31) August 10, 2021
This wasn't the only run-in with the chair umpire Medvedev had during the match.
After the rain delay, Medveved asked the chair umpire for a toilet break.
She denied the request, but Medvedev wanted to change his underwear.
Daniil asking the umpire if he’s supposed to change his underwear somewhere in the corner where everyone can see when he’s not allowed to have a toilet break. He said he wouldn’t mind btw 🤣 #medvedev #NBO21 pic.twitter.com/XvBLQ1sos0
— Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) August 10, 2021
He then went on to claim he would have to change his underwear on live TV in the corner of the arena if she doesn't let him go.
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
