Medvedev cites 'illuminati' in bizarre umpire rant

Third-seeded Daniil Medvedev was two points from defeat before he rallied to beat Sebastian Korda 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3 at the Madrid Open.

But it was his interaction with the umpire during a change of ends that caught the attention of most, with the Russian repeatedly citing the illuminati in a debate with the official.

As a light rain fell during the changeover to start the second set, Medvedev asked if the retractable roof could be closed on Arantxa Sanchez Stadium, pointing out how umpire Nacho Forcadell had cover from the rain.

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"You are fine with umbrella. We aren't with the rain. Maybe close the roof, no?," Medvedev asked.

The chair umpire declared it was not his call for the roof to be closed.

"Okay, so call someone whose decision is it. You said it's not your decision, call me someone whose decision it is," Medvedev responded.

Forcadell then replied by saying "they" make the decision on closing the retractable roof prompting Medvedev to play the conspiracy card.

"Who's they?" Medvedev countered. "Illuminati? Illuminati?"

Forcadell did not seem to understand Medvedev's sarcasm, and continued to explain how it was not his decision.

Medvedev eventually gained the decisive break of the decider in the eighth game of the third set, advancing after two hours and 23 minutes.

"It was tough for many different reasons," Medvedev said. "He played well. The courts here except the central court are a bit smaller than I would like, so I play like someone is pushing me in the back.

"Even though my serve when I don't need that much space, the feeling is still there like I am being pushed in the back. I need to get used to this feeling and try to find when to step in.

"I need to find my rhythm but both matches I played better and better. For sure the next one, if you play tougher and tougher opponents, I want to start like I played the third set. But if you win matches you are happy."