Daniil Medvedev appeared to shout ‘F*** you’ several times at the Wimbledon umpire during his semi-final defeat by Carlos Alcaraz, prompting a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Russian was furious with Eva Asderaki-Moore after she adjudged the ball to have bounced twice before he returned a shot during the first set.
Asderaki-Moore’s decision enraged Medvedev, who aimed a swear-laden outburst at the official. After several minutes of deliberation with the supervisor and tournament referee, the umpire gave the 28-year-old a formal warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Footage from the BBC’s broadcast shows Medvedev repeatedly shouting what appears to be the words ‘F*** you’, most likely in the direction of Asderaki-Moore.
According to Wimbledon’s rulebook, “players shall not at any time directly or indirectly verbally abuse any official”. Violations are subject to fines and the point penalty schedule, the first stage of which is a sanction-free warning.
It also states: “The referee in consultation with the Grand Slam supervisor may declare a default for a single violation of this code.”
Speaking on the BBC’s commentary after the incident, Tim Henman said: “It’s probably more around verbal abuse.
“If you use a swear word you’re going to get a code violation and a warning and a fine, but if you verbally abuse the umpire, that’s when there’s a question mark. It could be a default.
“Just from where we’re sitting to see the umpire get down off the umpire’s chair, to see the umpire and the supervisor to go on the court, that doesn’t happen unless something has gone on.”
The former British No 1 added later in the broadcast: “There was a bit of drama. I’m not sure what was said. But for the umpire to come down off the chair and the tournament referee and supervisor to come on to the court, something was said.”
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