CHINA OPEN

October 5, 2026

Daniil Medvedev

Mixed Zone

N. DJOKOVIC/D. Medvedev

7-5, 5-3 (def.)

Q. Just a comment. How do you feel about what happened tonight?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Terribly sorry to the spectator, first of all. I'm trying to get in touch with him, if he wants it. Hopefully I can apologize in person and see how he feels.

Q. In terms of just how Novak played tonight and the match itself, can you talk through what surprised you from him and what do you think was the difference?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Was tough match for me. He played really well. I felt like he played like when we played the best matches. I had some opportunities, which I missed. Yeah, he played incredible. So I think he has big chances in the final.

Q. You just commented on what happened, but I want to confirm if it indeed was an accident?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Yeah, I mean, 100% accident. You can see that I didn't hit the ball in anger. Actually I do a lot of bad things, but usually ball abuse is not my thing.

The ball was bouncing back, so I tried to, like, just hit it anywhere, so it doesn't go out from the court.

When I saw the result, I mean, I felt horrible because, again, I don't think I was ever close to such situation.

So yeah, the most important, I hope that he's okay 'cause you never know with these types of situations.

Q. Not much more you can really say, is there? When it actually happened, in that second, what flashed through your mind?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: No, it was horrible feeling because, again, that's not what I usually do. I didn't want to hit...

I mean, you can see that there is zero anger in this moment. It's not especially frustration. I don't hit it hard. Yeah, it hit him. I feel terribly sorry for him actually because, again, I just hope he's okay. That's the most important. The rest we move on. I just really care about him right now. Hopefully I can meet him and make up for it somehow.