Daniil Medvdev explains his Doha retirement

World no. 6 Daniil Medvedev performed effectively in Doha, particularly compared to his earlier tournaments. Nonetheless, the 2023 champion needed to finish his marketing campaign within the quarter-final after retiring versus Felix Auger-Aliassime following the opening set.

Felix grabbed the opener 6-3 after a double break, and Daniil retired with out shaking fingers together with his rival or the chair umpire. The Russian defined his setback, citing meals poisoning and hoping to recuperate for subsequent week’s ATP 500 occasion in Dubai.

Medvedev: “Sadly I had meals poisoning. Very disenchanted to finish my run right here in Doha like this as I really feel like I used to be enjoying effectively. I sit up for coming again subsequent yr.” #qatartennisfederation #qatarexxonmobilopen #atp #tennis pic.twitter.com/hyXyZCqMsI

— Qatar Tennis Federation (@QatarTennis) February 20, 2025

Medvedev’s retirement stunned his rival, who didn’t discover something unsuitable in his sport. Daniil stayed in contact within the first half of the set earlier than struggling back-to-back breaks and leaving the court docket after solely half an hour. 

Auger-Aliassime served effectively and dropped 4 factors in as many service video games. He averted break factors and mounted the strain on the Russian. World no. 6 served effectively early on and led 3-2 earlier than fading away from the court docket. 

Medvedev closed the opening sport of the match with a service winner, and Auger-Aliassime hit an ace in sport two for 1-1. Daniil grabbed three straight factors within the third sport for one more lead. The Canadian landed an ace in sport 4 and repeated that at 2-3 for a lift. 

Felix made a push on the return at 3-3 and transformed a break probability after Daniil’s expensive double fault. Auger-Aliassime moved 5-3 up after a backhand crosscourt winner in sport eight. Medvedev misplaced steam and struggled behind the preliminary shot in sport 9. 

The Canadian generated two set factors with a pressured error and landed a forehand winner on the primary. Thus, he clinched the set 6-3 and moved excessive following the Russian’ s surprising retirement.

“Sadly I had meals poisoning. I am very disenchanted to finish my run right here in Doha like this as I really feel like I used to be enjoying effectively. I sit up for coming again subsequent yr,” Daniil Medvedev mentioned.