Yen-Hsun Lu has retired down 6-4, 4-0 against Lleyton Hewitt in Cincinnati after battling officials about when he could receive a medical treatment.
Lu consulted with the trainer at 5-4 about a back problem and was told to wait to take a medical timeout until before his own service game. He continued play, losing the next four games to go down 3-0 in the third set, and requested treatment at the changeover with Hewitt due to serve next.
It was not clear whether Lu requested treatment at the end of the first set. He did not request treatment after his serve at 2-0 in the second set, but appeared to be under the impression that he had to wait until the changeover.
At 3-0, the trainer again told Lu he had to wait until before his own service game, resulting in a lengthy argument between Lu and he umpire.
"Why I cannot call medical timeout now?" Lu asked.
"It's up to him," said the umpire, referring to the trainer, who was sitting courtside. "He decide if you need it now, if it's urgent or it can wait."
"But I cannot move," said Lu. "Also then [when the previous] set finished and he say you don't need to take a medical timeout. And he just touched me for 20 seconds."
"I understand. He determines if it's an injury that can wait or if it needs immediate attention. So..."
"So if I say I have a heart attack I can't call a medical timeout?"
"If it's a heart attack, he he probably won't wait."
"I have an injury and he cannot let me take medical timeout. What is this? I already wait three games."
I understand that. He thinks you can wait one more game and then take a medical timeout... Our priority is that you get the medical timeout before your serve."
"So he can decide whatever he wants?"
"He is a professional."
"But the important thing is how I'm feeling."
When play resumed, Lu played a couple of points and again protested to the umpire. "I'm in no much pain," he said. "I aready waited three games. He told me, next changeover, we will take medical timeout."
When receiving treatment on his back at 4-0 down, Lu said, "You lied to me."
After the timeout, Lu retired during his own service game and, after the handshake, apologized to Hewitt for the argument at 3-0. "I don't want to break your rhythm in the service game, but..." said Lu.