World No. 9 Daniil Medvedev registered an on-court complaint against Jannik Sinner during the pair’s Italian Open semi-final.
On Friday (May 15), the Russian faced the World No. 1 in Rome, with the winner set to face Norway’s Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final.
The 24-year-old won the first set 6-2 before Medvedev fought back to level the match at one set all with a 7-5 victory in the second.
Sinner’s match was overshadowed by physical issues, with the four-time Grand Slam winner appearing to lean on his racket before calling a medical timeout for treatment during the third set.
Medical staff worked on Sinner’s thigh as pain was etched across his face, although his opponent was less than sympathetic, lodging a complaint with the umpire.
“When we call the physio for cramps, we don’t get fined?” Medvedev said in French.
According to ATP Tour rules, players are not allowed medical timeouts for cramps, as they are classed as a fitness issue rather than an injury.
Commentating for Sky Sports, former doubles World No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam winner Jamie Murray said: “He is getting treated for cramp essentially, he’s getting his quads massaged.
“So, it happens a lot, obviously, I don’t agree with it personally.
“He’s getting his other quad massaged now, so it’s a tough one to explain that you have got two injured quads and it’s not cramp while you’re sipping on your pickle juice.
“Players exploit that every week; it’s not a unique situation. Medvedev knows what is up. Paul Ness, the ATP physio, knows what is up as well.”
The match was eventually postponed due to rain and will resume on Saturday with Sinner leading 6-2, 5-7, 4-2.
What do ATP Tour rules say?
The rules state: “A player may receive treatment for muscle cramping only during the time allotted for changeovers and/or set breaks. Players may not receive a medical timeout for muscle cramping.
“In cases where there is doubt about whether the player suffers from an acute medical condition, non-acute medical condition inclusive of muscle cramping, or non-treatable medical condition, the decision of the physiotherapist, in conjunction with the tournament doctor, if appropriate, is final. There may be a total of two (2) full change-of-ends treatments for muscle cramping in a match, not necessarily consecutive.
“A player who has stopped play by claiming an acute medical condition, but is determined by the physiotherapist and/or tournament doctor to have muscle cramping, shall be instructed by the chair umpire to resume play immediately. If the player cannot continue playing due to severe muscle cramping, as determined by the physiotherapist and/or tournament doctor, he may forfeit the point(s)/game(s) needed to get to a change of ends or set break in order to receive treatment. If it is determined by the chair umpire or supervisor that gamesmanship was involved, then a Code Violation for unsportsmanlike conduct could be issued.”
