Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner both had words with the chair umpire in what quickly descended into a heated Italian Open semifinal. The Russian was not too pleased as the Italian received treatment on his right knee in the middle of their tense contest. Meanwhile, the world No. 1 was upset over the umpire not calling for play to be suspended due to rain.
Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner Exchange Words With Umpire in Heated Italian Open Semifinal
Medvedev gave Sinner a bigger scare than most would have expected during the semifinals of the Italian Open. After losing the first set 6-2, the 30-year-old bounced back and won the second set 7-5.
During the deciding set, Sinner broke Medvedev’s serve and was up 3-2 when he called for a medical timeout. He received treatment on his right knee while drinking pickle juice, which players normally take while dealing with cramps.
But Medvedev was not too happy as he argued about Sinner being allowed a medical timeout with chair umpire Aurélie Tourte. He claimed that Sinner was receiving treatment for cramps, which players are not allowed to receive. The 2023 Italian Open champion also wondered whether Sinner would get fined for this action.
Daniil Medvedev complaining to umpire about Jannik Sinner’s medical time out.
He thinks it’s cramps and he should be allowed only a changeover treatment as per the cramps rules.
Sinner to serve at 3-2 up in set 3 pic.twitter.com/fTT1SsJpyN
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) May 15, 2026
Minutes later, rain started pouring down on the court, and it was Sinner’s turn to complain to the umpire. The Italian appealed to the umpire and called for play to be stopped to avoid the risk of the players slipping on the wet clay.
“What if I slip at the line. How can you not make the decision? It’s pouring,” Sinner said to the umpire.
“If the court is good, we play,” Tourte said to Sinner.
Raining once again in Rome.
Play stopped and players are still on court for now.
Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 5-7, 4-2* (40-Adv)
Sinner said ‘What if I slip on the line, it’s heavier rain now’
Medvedev was keen on to continue playing. pic.twitter.com/pDFAfii0bP
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) May 15, 2026
Tourte ultimately relented, and play was stopped with Sinner 4-2 up in the final set and two games away from reaching the final. The court was quickly covered up as the players went inside.
Rain has played spoilsport throughout the Italian Open, suspending a number of matches. The first men’s singles semifinals also had to be suspended due to rain for two hours, with Casper Ruud ultimately claiming a 6-1, 6-1 win over Luciano Darderi.
Ruud awaits the winner of the Sinner-Medvedev clash in the final of the Italian Open. Sinner has enjoyed a near-perfect run in Rome and is looking to win the tournament to complete the Career Golden Masters. The Italian came into the Italian Open having won the last five ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, and enjoyed a dominant run to the semifinals.
