'This is against the rules': Intense Shanghai humidity causes fiery exchange as star retires injured
- Christian Montegan
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Chaos erupted in the opening round of the Shanghai Masters, with gamesmanship questioned in sweltering conditions.
At the change of ends, leading 5-4 in the first, Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic requested to walk off court to change into new clothes, with the humidity reaching as high as 86 per cent.
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It provided world No.54 Arthur Rinderknech the chance to argue his disapproval with the chair umpire, before the tournament supervisor stepped in to join the conversation.
"You allow him to do what he wants," he was heard saying. "I'm going to go nuts. I swear, now everything will have to be right on time: every time, every second.
"Where is he changing? In the hotel? You're crazy, this is against the rules."
The Frenchman later added: "He can do whatever he wants. Already, I am getting broken because he takes an extra two minutes on my serve.
"That's the rules. That's the rules, and he [pointing at the umpire] knows it. This is against the rules."
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During his medical timeout, Medjedovic couldn't believe that players were being forced to perform in challenging circumstances.
"How can you let us play in these conditions?" he asked the umpire.
"Under this roof, there is no air. There is zero air in here."
After being broken in the first game of the second set, Medjedovic retired injured despite receiving a medical timeout and winning the first set in a tiebreak.
Medjedovic, 22, didn't hold back after shaking hands with his opponent.
"How old are you? I have more respect than you," he said.
Rinderknech's next assignment is against 28th seed Alex Michelsen in round two.
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