Daniil Medvedev appeared to shout ‘F*** you’ several times at the Wimbledon umpire during his semi-final defeat by Carlos Alcaraz, prompting a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Russian was furious with Eva Asderaki-Moore after she adjudged the ball to have bounced twice before he returned a shot during the first set.
Asderaki-Moore’s decision enraged Medvedev, who aimed a sweary outburst at the official. After several minutes of deliberation with the supervisor and tournament referee, the umpire gave the 28-year-old a formal warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Footage from the BBC’s broadcast shows Medvedev repeatedly shouting what appears to be the words ‘F*** you’, most likely in the direction of Asderaki-Moore. Medvedev later claimed: “I said something in Russian, not unpleasant, but not over the line. So I got a code for it.”
According to Wimbledon’s rulebook, “players shall not at any time directly or indirectly verbally abuse any official”. Violations are subject to fines and the point penalty schedule, the first stage of which is a sanction-free warning.
It also states: “The referee in consultation with the Grand Slam supervisor may declare a default for a single violation of this code.”
Speaking on the BBC’s commentary after the incident, Tim Henman said: “It’s probably more around verbal abuse.
“If you use a swear word you’re going to get a code violation and a warning and a fine, but if you verbally abuse the umpire, that’s when there’s a question mark. It could be a default.
“Just from where we’re sitting to see the umpire get down off the umpire’s chair, to see the umpire and the supervisor to go on the court, that doesn’t happen unless something has gone on.”
The former British No 1 added later in the broadcast: “There was a bit of drama. I’m not sure what was said. But for the umpire to come down off the chair and the tournament referee and supervisor to come on to the court, something was said.”
Medvedev eventually won the set but suffered a remarkable comeback from Alcaraz, the reigning champion who will play in successive Wimbledon finals. The Spaniard triumphed 6-7 6-3 6-4 6-4.
Alcaraz reflected afterwards: “[I am] trying to do different things. I tried not to play long rallies, tried to hit drop shots and go to the net as much as I can. Try not to play his game.
“There were a few points with really long rallies but I tried to play my own game and not pass 10 or 12 shots in the points. It was difficult to break the wall!
“I feel like I’m not new anymore. I know how I’m going to feel before the final. I’ve been in this position before the final, I’ve been in this position before. I will try to do the things I did last year and try ot be better and do the things that went well obviously.”