Medvedev Wins Controversial Hindrance Call Against Draper at Indian Wells

The Russian star's victory over the Brit was marred by a disputed ruling that sparked boos from the crowd.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:26am

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In a quarterfinal match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Daniil Medvedev defeated Jack Draper 6-1, 7-5. However, the match was overshadowed by a controversial hindrance call that went in Medvedev's favor late in the second set, sparking outrage from the crowd.

Why it matters

Hindrance calls are one of the most contentious rules in tennis, and this incident highlights the ongoing debate around how they should be interpreted and applied by officials. The decision impacted the outcome of a high-profile match between two rising stars on a big stage.

The details

Leading 5-5 in the second set, Draper made a gesture after hitting a forehand that Medvedev felt was a hindrance. Medvedev appealed to the chair umpire, Aurélie Tourte, who reviewed the play and awarded the point to Medvedev. The crowd reacted angrily, feeling Draper's gesture was not disruptive enough to warrant the call. Draper acknowledged it was a "fair call" but said he didn't think it had distracted Medvedev enough to warrant losing the point.

  • The incident occurred at 5-5, 0-15 in the second set of the quarterfinal match on March 13, 2026.

The players

Daniil Medvedev

A Russian professional tennis player who is currently ranked among the top players in the world.

Jack Draper

A young British tennis player who has been making a name for himself on the ATP Tour, including a win over Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament.

Aurélie Tourte

The chair umpire who made the controversial hindrance call in favor of Medvedev.

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What they’re saying

“I think you've got that wrong.”

— Jack Draper, Tennis Player (Tennis Channel)

“I know you didn't do it on purpose, whatever [the umpire] decides, she decides.”

— Daniil Medvedev, Tennis Player (nytimes.com)

“I don't think it distracted you enough. It was a fair call.”

— Jack Draper, Tennis Player (nytimes.com)

“Was I distracted big time? No. Do I feel good about it? Not really. But I also don't feel like I cheated or something.”

— Daniil Medvedev, Tennis Player (nytimes.com)

What’s next

The outcome of the match will determine Medvedev's semifinal opponent, Carlos Alcaraz, in the BNP Paribas Open.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges around the hindrance rule in tennis and how it can impact high-stakes matches. It also showcases the sportsmanship between Medvedev and Draper, who both acknowledged the controversial nature of the call.