It is brutally hot at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, and Daniil Medvedev is the latest to suffer from debilitating cramps.
Jannik Sinner retired from his cramps a few days ago. Taylor Fritz lost his match and the conditions seemingly contributed to his defeat. Novac Djokovic overcame injury and cramps in his match yesterday.
Medvedev won the first set over surging American Learner Tien in a tight tiebreaker. Down 4-5 in the second set, Medvedev broke Tien while serving for the set. In the ensuing tiebreak, Medvedev was limping and could not get any leg strength into his serve and his mobility was limited.
38 of the best 👀
Medvedev and Tien are putting on a show to conclude todays action 💪#RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/uiQgE3J1W6
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 8, 2025
The trainer looked at Medvedev before the tiebreaker to ensure that it was cramps. Cramps cannot be treated by the ATP physio.
Medvedev openly said out loud after Tien grabbed the second set that he did not know what to do.
On the other side of the net, Tien was as cool as a cucumber and composed well beyond his 19 years.
Deja Vu For Daniil Medvedev And Learner Tien
At last week’s China Open semifinal against Learner Tien, Medvedev also suffered cramps. He won the first set in that match, and Tien won the second. Medvedev was forced to retire down 0-4 in the third set.
Medvedev retires injured vs Tien! 😔
Learner Tien moves into a maiden ATP Tour-level final after Medvedev is forced to retire with injury in Beijing@ChinaOpen | #ChinaOpenpic.twitter.com/WDCvpEkKaM
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 30, 2025
During that China Open match, he was also cited by the chair umpire for a failure to try penalty which was completely uncalled for given the situation.
Medvedev is drinking pickle juice and trying to keep himself in this third set, but it is unclear how the match will finish at press time.
The match is entering the 2 1/2 hour stage and on serve in the early stages of the third set.
As a result of the conditions in Asia this fall, the ATP is considering a heat protocol for the safety of the players.
ATP is considering implementing an official heat policy, following several incidents in Shanghai where players were forced to retire, including Jannik Sinner:
“This remains under active review and additional measures including the implementation of an official heat policy are… pic.twitter.com/mLKtfasVuz
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 7, 2025
