Andy Roddick thinks Daniil Medvedev had all the reasons to be extremely annoyed with umpires last week as the 2003 US Open champion described the umpiring at the Monte Carlo Masters as “a dumpster fire.”
Last week, world No. 4 Medvedev had two very explosive rants in Monte Carlo and, not only that happened in multiple matches, but it also happened in back-to-back matches. First, it happened against Gael Monfils in Medvedev’s Monte Carlo opener.
Up 30-0 on his serve in the fourth game of the second set, one of Monfils’ shot was initially called out but it was overturned after chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani came to inspect. In the very next point, one of Monfils’ shots that appeared well out wasn’t called wide by the line umpires. But it was overturned by Lahyani after he checked the mark. That’s when the Russian exploded and started shouting at the line umpire, after which Lahyani asked him to please stop. During the changeover, an annoyed Medvedev also started cursing and swearing.
The very next day, Medvedev was down by a set and serving at 5-5 in the second set when the umpires didn’t call an out by Khachanov. On TV, it was revealed that Khachanov’s ball was indeed out but it was Medvedev who lost the point and the game after Khachanov earned two consecutive break points because of missed call. The 2021 US Open champion then threw his racket and started asking for a line person to be fired.
“You go look at the mark, the mark is fricking out. They don’t know how to referee anymore; the mark is out. Who will take action? Who will take action?” Medvedev was heard ranting during one of the changeovers against Khachanov.
“Yesterday, the ball was out, it was called in. Who will take action? This ball is out there. Who will take responsibility?
“It’s not my responsibility to referee the matches. It’s this guy in the glasses. He doesn’t need glasses because he doesn’t see anything, he should not be a referee. It’s in front of him … He’s a bad referee, he should be out of the referee circle. It’s clay, it’s not hard court, it’s out.”
Daniil Medvedev and Cedric Mourier © Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney
Roddick understands Medvedev’s frustration
When rating the job of the umpires in Monte Carlo, former world No. 1 Roddick made it clear he felt it was pretty unimpressive.
“The umpiring in Monte Carlo was like a dumpster fire, like an absolute dumpster fire start to finish. Like why do we not have electronic line calling? If we have the ability, why would we not want to get every call right?” Roddick asked in the latest episode of his Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
“Like, well, there’s a mark on clay. You can misread a mark. I’ve had millions of practices with pro players who see marks all the time and you disagree on a mark. Wouldn’t it be nice to at least have confirmation bias or something to tell you to kind of get on with it?”
Roddick then specifically addressed the Medvedev case and explained why the Russian’s frustration should be understood.
“There’s just a difference with Medvedev. It was like, he just did two days in a row. He’s just going off the umpire. Yeah, he was right both days, by the way,” Roddick said.
“Medvedev is kind of right most of the time. Like when he melts down, he’s kind of right. And that should matter a little bit. It should matter. Like if you imagine you being at work, being right about something, and then also getting docked pay, or also being right, but also you have to suffer the consequences if you’re wrong. Like you wouldn’t go quietly.”
Daniil Medvedev and Mohamed Lahyani © Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney
Medvedev lost moments after the umpire’s mistake against Khachanov
After getting annoyed by umpires against Monfils, Medvedev dropped his serve and found himself 1-4 down to the Frenchman. But Medvedev managed to calm down and get his focus back and win the next five games to complete a 6-2 6-4 win.
Against Khachanov, that didn’t happen but it should be noted that the situation was completely different and much more difficult for the former world No. 1. After a missed call in Khachanov’s favor, Khachanov claimed a break in that game to open a 6-3 6-5 lead and give himself a chance to serve out for the match in the following game. Medvedev – who was extremely frustrated and annoyed at that point – didn’t manage to recover in such a short time as Khachanov routinely served out for the match in the 12th game.
Daniil Medvedev© Julian Finney / Staff Getty Images Sport
This week, Medvedev is not competing in any tournaments as he is scheduled to return to action at next week’s Madrid Masters.
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