Jannik Sinner received a controversial medical time-out during his Italian Open semi-final win over Daniil Medvedev.
The world number one appeared to receive treatment for cramps, which is forbidden.
Was Jannik Sinner wrong to call a medical time-out?
Daniil Medvedev wasn't happy!
After the match, Medvedev proposed a rule change that would permit players to receive treatment for cramps during medical time-outs.
American tennis legend Andy Roddick has now suggested a ‘caveat’ to Medvedev’s proposal.
Andy Roddick doesn’t think you should be able to call a medical time-out for cramps on the opponent’s serve
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘, the 2003 US Open champion shared his thoughts.
“What I’m saying is there is the most obvious workaround of all time,” he said.
“You have this rule where, on merit, I agree with it, physical fitness is part of tennis.
“Should the person who is really fit not be rewarded because the other person is cramping, that kind of sucks, in a way.
“And, there is just no chance that it’s ever going to stop if someone has cramps. If I had cramps in a match tomorrow, and I knew that all I had to say to the trainer was, ‘my legs are hurting’, and they get in there, I haven’t lied to the trainer.
“You’re putting it on the trainer to go, no, you don’t! There is no f— chance that is ever going to happen.
“I understand the reason for the rule. And I generally agree with the reason for the rule, and I also totally get where Meddy [Daniil Medvedev] is coming from, because you can just lie.”
Roddick then explained the slight adjustment he would make to Medvedev’s proposed rule change.
“I have a caveat to Meddy’s proposed rule change,” he said.
“I agree with it. Also, you should not be able to call a trainer, let’s assume, a magic wand goes, and it’s changed, you should not be able to call for the trainer, for cramps, before someone else’s serve.
“People are going to abuse this rule; they’re going to ice the kicker, you’re going to come out having not hit a serve, or played a point for six minutes.
“You should not be able to use it against the player who is physically fit and has to serve.
“Maybe that means it’s not on the switchover.
“But it would really p— me off, if I was playing someone and you could say you had cramps in the second set, and you can ice someone who is trying to serve the set out, or something like that.
“There is a way to abuse it, so I would have the caveat in place.”
Only time will tell if the rule will change, but it’s certainly something the ATP Tour should look into.
What is the official rule for medical time-outs and cramps?
According to the 2026 ATP Tour official rulebook, the law is as follows.
“A player may receive treatment for muscle cramping only during the time allotted for changeovers and/or set breaks,” they say.
“Players may not receive a medical time-out for muscle cramping.
“In cases where there is doubt about whether the player suffers from an acute medical condition, non-acute medical condition inclusive of muscle cramping, or non-treatable medical condition, the decision of the Physiotherapist, in conjunction with the tournament Doctor, if appropriate, is final.
“There may be a total of two full change of ends treatments for muscle cramping in a match, not necessarily consecutive.”
A note clarifies what should happen if a physio disagrees with a player’s assessment of their injury.
“A player who has stopped play by claiming an acute medical condition, but is determined by the Physiotherapist and/or tournament Doctor to have muscle cramping, shall be instructed by the Chair Umpire to resume play immediately,” they say.
“If the player cannot continue playing due to severe muscle cramping, as determined by the Physiotherapist and/or tournament Doctor, he may forfeit the point(s)/game(s) needed to get to a change of end or set-break in order to receive treatment.
“If it is determined by the Chair Umpire or Supervisor that gamesmanship was involved, then a Code Violation for Unsportsmanlike Conduct could be issued.”
Sinner wasn’t given a Code Violation during his win over Medvedev, as he advanced to the final, where he beat Casper Ruud.
Looking to put the incident behind him, Sinner will now turn his attention to the second Grand Slam of the year, Roland Garros.
The 2026 French Open begins on Sunday, May 24.
