Daniil Medvedev’s US Open opener descended into farce on Sunday night after a photographer wondered onto court during match point, sparking one of the most chaotic meltdowns of his career.
The 2021 US Open champion looked on the brink of defeat against France’s Benjamin Bonzi when the extraordinary incident unfolded late in the third set.
With Bonzi serving for the match, a photographer left his position courtside in anticipation of capturing the celebration - only to step into play too early and halt proceedings.
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Bonzi had already faulted his first serve before the interruption.
Daniil Medvedev’s US Open opener descended into farce on Sunday night after a photographer wondered onto court during match point, sparking one of the most chaotic meltdowns of his career
|ESPN
Chair umpire Gregory Allensworth then ruled that the Frenchman would be allowed a fresh first serve because of “outside interference.”
The decision lit the fuse for Medvedev, who immediately stormed towards the chair, gesturing at the crowd and demanding they boo.
“Are you a man? Are you a man?” Medvedev shouted at Allensworth, who appeared visibly uncomfortable.
“Why are you shaking? What’s wrong, huh? Guys, he wants to leave. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
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Medvedev then turned to the stands, invoking a past controversy involving fellow player Reilly Opelka.
“What did Reilly Opelka say?” he yelled, referring to Opelka’s criticism earlier this year when he labelled Allensworth the “worst ump on tour.”
The Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd obliged Medvedev’s calls, jeering so loudly that eventually he had to plead with them to quieten down so Bonzi could resume serving.
Bonzi promptly double-faulted, handing Medvedev a lifeline. The Russian clawed back the set in a tiebreak and then dominated the fourth 6-0 to level the match.
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Daniil Medvedev was visibly upset after a camera person walked on the court at match point. pic.twitter.com/5wnVf2GSFm
— ESPN (@espn) August 25, 2025
But the fifth set belonged to Bonzi. Despite the bizarre momentum shift, the Frenchman rallied to complete a remarkable upset in the early hours of Monday morning.
The drama did not end there, however.
Medvedev, furious at the loss, took out his frustration on his racket, smashing it against his bench more than ten times as Bonzi celebrated his biggest career win.
He was also seen making an obscene gesture during the match, though it was unclear whether it was aimed at the umpire or the crowd.
Tournament officials later confirmed the photographer was escorted out of the venue and had his credential revoked.
A US Tennis Association spokesperson said security would review the breach.
For Medvedev, the scenes evoked memories of his infamous 2019 run at Flushing Meadows, when he repeatedly clashed with fans and officials.
That year he grabbed a towel from a ballkid, hurled his racket towards umpire Damien Dumusois and flashed his middle finger at the chair — antics that earned him a $9,000 fine but also carried him to the final, where he lost to Rafael Nadal.
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Daniil Medvedev smashed his racket in anger following his defeat at the US Open
|REUTERS
Two years later, he returned to win the title.
This season, however, Medvedev has looked a shadow of his former self. He has not advanced beyond the quarter-finals at any Grand Slam, and Bonzi has now beaten him in opening rounds at both Wimbledon and the US Open.
Whether he can bounce back at the Australian Open in January remains to be seen.