US Open Turns Chaotic as Daniil Medvedev Crashes Out in Fiery Showdown
The US Open 2025 kicked off with absolute drama when a photographer stormed onto the court during Daniil Medvedev’s match point, halting play and igniting one of the most chaotic meltdowns in recent memory.
The 2021 champion eventually bowed out in a rollercoaster five-set battle, losing 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4 to France’s Benjamin Bonzi. At one point, Bonzi even threatened to walk off the court and demanded Medvedev be disqualified.
The chaos erupted in the third set when Bonzi, serving for the match at 6-3, 7-5, 5-4, was preparing his second serve. Just then, a photographer stepped onto the court, disrupting play. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth ruled that Bonzi had to restart with a first serve, a decision that sent Medvedev into an explosive tirade.
“Are you a man? Why are you shaking?” Medvedev shouted furiously at the umpire. “He wants to go home, guys. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour!”
The match was halted for nearly six minutes as the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd erupted with boos, whistles, and jeers, refusing to quiet down so Bonzi could serve. The US Tennis Association later confirmed the photographer was removed and stripped of credentials.
Ironically, the mayhem nearly saved Medvedev. He fended off match point, broke back to 5-5, then clinched the tie-break to push the battle into a fourth set. Riding the momentum, Medvedev dominated with a 6-0 “bagel”, while Bonzi struggled with a knee issue and took a medical timeout. But the boos never stopped, some of them aimed directly at Bonzi during his serve.
The decider turned into a nail-biting finish, with the Frenchman digging deep. Boosted by chants of “Courage!” and “Allez!” from his box, Bonzi sealed victory with a stunning backhand winner, leaving Medvedev smashing his racket in frustration.
“It was crazy – maybe I got new fans, but also new non-fans,” Bonzi laughed after the match. “Thanks to those booing. It gave me energy.”
For Medvedev, the defeat marks a shocking early exit, making him the first former champion eliminated this year. His 2025 season at the majors has been disastrous, reaching the second round only once.
At his press conference, Medvedev clarified his fury:
“It wasn’t the photographer. It was the decision. Every time there’s noise in the stands, you don’t give a first serve. But here, he gave one. That’s what made me angry.”
Despite the meltdown, Medvedev admitted he enjoyed the wild atmosphere:
“Honestly, I thought I was losing. But the crowd pushed me back. At one point, I thought – maybe it’s fun if this is my last match at the US Open. I love New York. The crowd did the work. I just lived it.”
Bonzi, however, wasn’t impressed by Medvedev’s antics:
“He put oil on the fire, he went with the crowd crazy. I never saw something like that. The rule is clear – someone entered the court between serves, so it’s first serve. I didn’t do anything wrong to deserve this treatment.”
The US Open 2025 may just have witnessed one of the wildest first-round matches in tournament history – a perfect storm of boos, chaos, and high-voltage tennis drama.
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"The US Open descended into chaos as Daniil Medvedev suffered a shock five-set defeat to Benjamin Bonzi after a photographer stormed the court."