The US Open turned chaotic on Sunday when a photographer unexpectedly entered the court during Daniil Medvedev’s match point, halting the first-round game and triggering a dramatic outburst from the Russian player.
Former champion Medvedev was eventually defeated 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 by France’s Benjamin Bonzi, who at one point threatened to leave the court and called for Medvedev’s disqualification.
France’s Benjamin Bonzi celebrates his win.
As Bonzi prepared to serve for the match at 6-3, 7-5, 5-4, the photographer stepped onto the court, disrupting play.
This interruption caused chair umpire Greg Allensworth to reset Bonzi’s serve to first serve, provoking a furious reaction from Medvedev.
“Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking?” Medvedev yelled at the umpire. “He wants to go home, guys, he doesn’t like it here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
Medvedev repeatedly shouted, “What did Reilly Opelka say?” referring to the US player’s call for Allensworth’s suspension after a code violation incident at the Dallas Open.
The match paused for about six minutes amid jeers and boos at Louis Armstrong Stadium, where fans refused to quiet down for Bonzi’s serve.
The USTA reported the photographer was removed by US Open security and had his credentials revoked.
The chaos almost became Medvedev’s saving grace.
He fended off the match point, breaking to tie the set 5-5 and winning the tiebreak to force a fourth set.
The 2021 champion appeared revitalized in the fourth set, dominating with a 6-0 win as Bonzi took a medical timeout for a knee issue.
Crowd boos persisted throughout, targeting Bonzi during his serve.
The final set was intensely competitive, with both players exchanging breaks before a thrilling conclusion.
Encouraged by shouts of “Courage!” and “Allez!” from his supporters, Bonzi secured victory with a stunning backhand.
“It was crazy. I might have gained some new fans, but also some non-fans,” said Bonzi, ranked 51st, having now beaten Medvedev in all their Grand Slam first-round matches.
“The energy was incredible. Thanks to everyone who booed. Thanks for the energy.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. We waited maybe five minutes before the match point, and it was insane. The noise was overwhelming.”
After the match, Medvedev lingered on court, shoulders slumped, staring blankly as frustration overcame him. His racket took the brunt, smashed repeatedly against the metal bench.
The six-time Grand Slam finalist eventually broke down, tears flowing as he remained seated, even as Bonzi’s victory interview commenced nearby.
Speaking afterward, Medvedev, now facing the risk of falling out of the world’s top 20, expressed deep despair. During the match, he confessed, he contemplated ending his career.
When asked if this was truly the end, his candid response was chilling: “Not today. But when you’re ending your career, you never know where you might want to do it. Today I thought, ‘this could be a nice place to do it.'”
Medvedev is the first former champion to exit this year’s tournament, leaving Flushing Meadows after a difficult year at the majors, where he only reached the second round once.
