WATCH: Daniil Medvedev cites Rafael Nadal's antics during time violation argument

Friday, 10 October 2025 at 12:28

byJordan Reynolds

Rafael Nadal's retirement from tennis did not stop Daniil Medvedev from mentioning him during a heated moment with the umpire at the 2025 Shanghai Masters.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion built a fanbase of millions for his achievements, fighting spirit, and being an outstanding role model. Nadal never smashed a racket throughout his illustrious career.

However, the one consistent source of frustration from some opponents and fans was how long Nadal took between points. The Spaniard's routines and how much he sweated often caused lengthy pauses in play.

Medvedev played Nadal in the 2019 US Open and the 2022 Australian Open finals, losing both in five sets. Competing against the tennis legend on the biggest stages gave him the perfect insight into his behavior.

The 29-year-old's memories of being ready to serve and Nadal not getting a time violation despite the rules saying returners must play to the speed of the server came out during his discussion with the umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, in Shanghai.

In the second set of his match against Learner Tien, Medvedev received a time violation after Lahyani felt he took too long when the American was ready to serve, which enraged the 2021 US Open champion.

When speaking with the umpire, Medvedev was receiving treatment after he began cramping in the brutally hot Shanghai conditions, which probably darkened his mood further and might have led to Nadal being mentioned.

"All my life, I've been serving and waiting for Rafa for 55 seconds. And you give me a code violation on the first occasion. I played Rafa 5 times, and there was not one time I was ready to serve and he was ready to return. He didn't get one time violation."

Lahyani attempted to explain his decision, but Medvedev remained unhappy even though he never actually denied keeping Tien waiting when he wanted to serve. That is a time violation on its own merits, regardless of what happened with Nadal.

While Nadal's retirement makes Medvedev's point somewhat redundant, it is factually accurate to say that some felt that Nadal got more leeway than other players because of his legendary status.

Medvedev continued the conversation, promising to immediately point out any time he was ready to serve and an opponent kept him waiting. He also called the umpire crazy.

"To me, today, at the slightest thing you give it to me. I always waited to return, and you didn't give it to him. You're crazy. Completely crazy."

The six-time Grand Slam champion managed to recover from cramping and being angry with Lahyani to beat Tien 7-6, 6-7, 6-4. That was a superb effort against an opponent who has already beaten him twice this season.

Tien shocked Medvedev in five sets at the 2025 Australian Open. His recent win against the former ATP world No. 1 at the 2025 China Open felt more underwhelming because Medvedev retired in the deciding set.

Those setbacks must have made overcoming Tien in Shanghai feel even better. It is a boost for him and his new coaching team as they try to build a bright future together.