In one of the most bizarre and chaotic moments in recent Grand Slam history, Daniil Medvedev’s US Open campaign came to a stunning and controversial end, thanks, in part, to a photographer’s ill-timed appearance on court during a critical moment of his first-round match.
The 2021 US Open champion was locked in a tense battle with France’s Benjamin Bonzi on Louis Armstrong Stadium when, at 5-4 in the third set with Bonzi holding match point, a photographer inexplicably walked across the back of the court as Bonzi prepared to serve. The interruption forced chair umpire Greg Allensworth to halt play and, in accordance with ATP rules, reset the point, granting Bonzi a fresh first serve.
The decision sent Medvedev into a furious tirade and triggered a chaotic six-minute delay that derailed the flow of the match and ignited the New York crowd.
“Are You a Man?” – Medvedev Explodes
Medvedev, visibly incensed, stormed toward the umpire and launched into a heated exchange.
“Are you a man? Why are you shaking?” he yelled, accusing Allensworth of being intimidated by the situation. “You just want to go home early,” Medvedev added, referencing past criticism of Allensworth, including comments made by Reilly Opelka, who once labeled him “the worst ref in the ATP.”
The crowd at Armstrong Stadium, always quick to embrace drama, responded with deafening boos, directed both at the umpire and, at times, at Medvedev himself. The Russian encouraged the noise, gesturing to the crowd and feeding off the escalating tension.
Despite the drama, Bonzi appeared rattled by the delay and failed to convert his match point. Medvedev capitalized, rallying to win the third-set tie-break and dominating the fourth to level the match. But the fifth set saw Bonzi regroup, ultimately sealing the biggest Grand Slam win of his career in five exhausting sets.
Photographer Escorted Out; USTA Responds
In the aftermath, security swiftly removed the photographer from the venue. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) confirmed that the individual’s credential had been permanently revoked for the 2025 US Open.
“His credential has been revoked for the 2025 US Open,”
tournament officials said in a statement. “Media members are expected to remain outside of restricted zones during active play, and this violation will not be tolerated.”
The photographer, whose identity was not disclosed, has not commented on the incident.
Bonzi: “The Energy Was Wild”
Bonzi, ranked No. 51 in the world, reflected on the surreal atmosphere following the match.
“The energy was wild. Thanks for all those who were booing, thanks for the energy in the fifth set. It was a crazy scenario. I have never experienced anything like that. It was so difficult to play, so noisy. But I tried to stay calm, it was not easy.”
The Frenchman now advances to the second round, where he will face American Marcos Giron. While Bonzi’s calm under pressure was impressive, much of the focus remains on the unorthodox circumstances that dominated the final stages of the match.
Medvedev’s Uncertain Future
For Medvedev, the loss marks a third consecutive first-round exit at a Grand Slam, an uncharacteristic slide for a player who, not long ago, was ranked world No. 1 and considered a major contender on hard courts.
Following the defeat, a visibly shaken Medvedev slumped in his chair and smashed his racket multiple times against a metal bench. The unforced error, literal and metaphorical, of the photographer’s interruption clearly loomed large.
When asked in the post-match press conference if this moment might signal the end of his career, the 29-year-old gave a surprisingly introspective response.
“Not today,” he said. “But when I’m finishing my career, you never know where you want to do it. Today I was, like, ‘this could be a nice place to do it.’”
Whether those words were a reflection of the moment or a sign of something more remains to be seen. For now, Medvedev faces yet another early Slam exit, while questions swirl around tournament operations and officiating standards at the US Open.
Elsewhere in Flushing Meadows
The tournament continues with defending champion Jannik Sinner set to open his campaign against Vit Kopriva. Rising star Carlos Alcaraz takes on Reilly Opelka in a blockbuster first-round clash, while Bonzi will aim to extend his dream run against Marcos Giron.
But for now, it’s Medvedev, a photographer, and one very controversial moment that headlines the opening week in New York.
