Daniil Medvedev evidently wasn't happy with Mattia Bellucci after being hit directly by one of the Italian's balls as the Russian stared at the qualifier for a moment before turning away.
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On Wednesday evening in Rotterdam, the 2023 champion exited this year's tournament edition in the round-of-16 after the 92nd-ranked qualifier overcame him in three sets 6-3 6-7 (6) 6-3.
With the No. 2 seed leading 5-4 in the second set and the score on Bellucci's serve being tied to 30/30, the former world No. 1 went to the net.
The Italian targeted Medvedev once - but the Russian managed to get that ball back into to play.
However, the qualifier didn't miss in his second attempt as the ball directly hit the 2021 US Open champion in the abdominal area.
While Bellucci instantly raised his hands and apologized, the current world No. 7 gave him a cold look and it didn't really seem like he accepted the apology.
Later in that same game, the world No. 92 again sent one of the balls toward Medvedev's body.
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Medvedev's struggles in early 2025 continue
After not landing a single title last year and publicly revealing at the end of the 2024 season that he would try to change some things for 2025, the Russian is only 2-2 at the start of this season.
Before suffering a shock loss to Bellucci, the former world No. 1 also surprisingly lost to Learner Tien in the Australian Open second round.
After his latest defeat, Medvedev again spoke out against the conditions on the Tour.
"Slow courts, slow balls, but it's not new. I don't have enough power in these conditions to dictate the game," he said.
