Controversy at Indian Wells, After Medvedev VAR Challenge Gets Draper For Hindrance

Thursday’s quarterfinal between Daniil Medvedev and Jack Draper tonight in Indian Wells featured a major officiating controversy late in the second set, revolving around a hindrance call that directly impacted the momentum of the closing games.

The incident occurred at 5-5, 0-15 in the second set with Draper serving. During a baseline exchange, Medvedev hit a deep drive that landed near the line. Draper, wondering if the ball was out, made a physical gesture with his arms before continuing to play. Medvedev eventually hit a ball into the net and immediately appealed to the chair umpire, Aurélie Tourte, claiming he was distracted by Draper’s movement.

Tourte utilized a video review (VAR) to examine the play. After watching the replay, she ruled that Draper’s gesture constituted a hindrance. Instead of replaying the point, she awarded it to Medvedev, moving the score to 0-30.

Medvedev claimed the break, and won the match 6-1, 7-5.

The decision was met with heavy boos from the Indian Wells crowd, who felt the movement was a natural reaction to a close line call rather than a deliberate attempt to distract. Draper was visibly frustrated, as the call helped Medvedev secure a crucial break of serve in that game.

After the match Medvedev and Draper talked it out, and Medvedev told Draper he felt bad about it. The Russian took questions on the incident in press. 

“I can actually even talk more, because I have more info. I think I should have done it the moment it happened,” he said. “I should not have waited until the end of the point, and then it would be a bit more, probably available.

“But if you look at my first forehand… I was kind of a tiny bit distracted. So I said to the umpire, ‘What should I do? Should I do it next time straightaway?’ And she goes, ‘If you want, you can video review.’ I said, ‘Okay, video review.’

“And whatever she decided, she decided, and she decided that it’s a point for me. So I took it.

That’s basically it. Was I distracted big time? No. Was I distracted a bit? Yes. Is it enough to win the point? I don’t know.”

Asked if he and Draper are on good terms, Medvedev said: “I think so, I mean, it’s more a question for him because, right, because I would be okay with him after what happened, so it’s more a question to him.

“I think we have a great relationship.”