Daniil Medvedev calls for a rule change to fix the Jannik Sinner issue at the Italian Open.
Daniil Medvedev has asked the ATP Tour to change a rule after his tricky semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner at the Italian Open. On Friday evening in Rome, Sinner was ahead 6-2, 5-7, 4-2 when rain stopped the match.
Just before the rain delay, Sinner told the umpire it was “raining buckets” and worried he might slip on the court lines. Later, Medvedev got upset when Sinner called for a medical timeout to treat a thigh issue. Medvedev said in French, “When we call the physio for cramps, we don’t get fined?”
Right now, ATP rules don’t allow players to take medical breaks for cramps unless it’s during certain stops like set breaks. But many feel players sometimes use this rule in their favor.
After losing the match 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 the next day, Medvedev spoke out and suggested a rule change. While there’s no proof Sinner took advantage during the match, the discussion highlights concerns about how medical timeouts are handled.
Medvedev wants cramps to be treated officially but only for a short, specific time. He told reporters, “Actually, I thought it was impossible to fix, but I have an idea: allow medical treatment for cramps for three minutes. Then a player can say they have cramps and get help.”
He added, “Right now it’s not allowed, which I get. But if you’re cramping, maybe you ask for a physio and say you have some leg pain. I did that in my career too. If medical help was allowed for cramps, it would clear things up.”
Sinner didn’t talk much about the situation after the match but said conditions were tough. “Yesterday was very hard,” he said. “Today, anything can happen because you basically start from zero again. I was in a better position before the break. Today was sunny, so different conditions. I’m happy to have made it through but I didn’t sleep well. It’s a new situation to finish a match like that.”
Both players are now getting ready for the French Open next week, which will be without the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who is out with injury. Sinner will face Casper Ruud in the Italian Open final on Sunday in Rome.