Medvedev demands immediate rule revisions following Italian Open semifinal defeat to Sinner: 'There would be no problem'

Daniil Medvedev calls for an immediate ATP rule change regarding medical time-outs after controversy erupted during the Italian Open semifinal match against Jannik Sinner.

The Russian tennis player was left frustrated when Sinner took a medical time-out in the third set for cramps at 3-2. Medvedev questioned the umpire about the reason for the break, sparking debate over the current rules.

Medvedev calls for change

Medvedev raised concerns about players cramping and suggested an ATP rule adjustment to allow medical treatment with a three-minute break, and end the controversy altogether.

While expressing his point at the Italian Open press conference, Medvedev said, “I actually have a solution: allow physical, allow medical treatment for help. Sorry. Allow medical, meaning physio, three minutes, when you have cramps.

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“Then there’s no problem because then a player could say, I have cramps, I need a physio. For the moment, it’s not allowed. I completely understand.

“Of course, if you start cramping – maybe he was not, I have no idea – what you do is you ask a physio, and you say, I have a small pain in the leg. Probably I did it as well in my career. If medical would be allowed for cramps, there would be no problem, so this is a solution.”

Sinner advances to Rome Masters Final

Despite struggling with cramps in the decider, Sinner pushed through and defeated Medvedev 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in the semifinal match, which had been suspended on Friday due to rain. The Italian was leading in the decider and maintained dominance once the action resumed.

World number one Sinner will face 23rd seed Casper Ruud in the Italian Open summit clash on Sunday. Jannik also made history, becoming the first Italian in 68 years to reach back-to-back finals in Rome, a feat last achieved by Nicola Pietrangeli.