The dramatic scenes that overshadowed Daniil Medvedev’s first-round exit at the US Open have taken another twist, with the photographer at the centre of the storm insisting he is innocent - and now seeking legal advice after his tournament credentials were revoked.
Medvedev, a former champion in New York, blew up in spectacular fashion on Sunday night when Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi was serving for match point in the third set.
Just as Bonzi prepared to deliver his second serve, freelance photographer Selcuk Acar stepped onto the court.
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Chair umpire Greg Allensworth ruled the point should restart with a first serve, triggering a furious tirade from Medvedev that delayed play for seven minutes.
The dramatic scenes that overshadowed Daniil Medvedev’s first-round exit at the US Open have taken another twist, with the photographer at the centre of the storm insisting he is innocent - and now seeking legal advice after his tournament credentials were revoked
|ESPN
The 29-year-old slammed his racket, whipped the crowd into a chorus of boos and shouted at the umpire: “Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking? What’s wrong, huh?
"Guys, he wants to leave. He gets paid by the match not by the hour.”
Medvedev even turned to the crowd with a repeated cry of “What did Reilly Opelka say?” — a reference to the American player who earlier this year branded Allensworth the “worst ump on tour.”
The Russian, who has a history of fiery exchanges with officials, went on to save the set and briefly rally.
He claimed the third set on a tie-break and stormed through the fourth 6-0 before eventually losing in five sets to Bonzi.
His frustration spilled over afterwards as he smashed his racket repeatedly while his wife Daria, sitting alongside coach Gilles Cervara, looked on with her head in her hands.
While the outburst made global headlines, Acar told the Daily Mail that he is the one unfairly punished.
“I’m a victim and totally innocent,” he said in a text message on Monday.
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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
“This incident has already turned into a lynching, and although I’m innocent, I’ve suffered greatly.”
Acar insisted he did not act recklessly and claimed he only stepped forward after receiving instructions from a security official.
“If there’s a camera there, if it’s monitored, it will show that I returned to the official twice and didn’t enter," he added.
"The official told me the match is stopped and to go on court. I didn’t know and see if Medvedev saw me.”
The veteran photographer, who says he has covered events ranging from US presidential visits to NATO summits and World Cups, added: “I’m not a photojournalist that can make such a mistake. I’ve aged 10 years since last night.”
He confirmed he is now consulting employers and attorneys about the fallout.
The USTA rejected his account, however, telling the newspaper: “The photographer had been instructed to stay in place by US Open security.
"The photographer disregarded these instructions and improperly entered the court between serves on match point.
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Daniil Medvedev smashed his racket in anger following his defeat at the US Open | REUTERS"The Chair Umpire also instructed the photographer to immediately sit down, and these instructions were also disregarded. The photographer’s credential was revoked for the 2025 US Open.”
For Medvedev, the meltdown was another low point in a season that has already seen early exits at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.
Whether he can bounce back at the Australian Open in January remains to be seen.