A heart-wrenching and chaotic scene unfolded at the US Open as Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion, was ousted in the first round by Benjamin Bonzi. The match was heavily affected by a photographer's unexpected intrusion onto the court, which ignited significant unrest and dramatically shifted the course of the game.
Medvedev, who has been struggling this season with only one Grand Slam victory to his name, found himself on the verge of a disheartening defeat when the incident occurred at a crucial moment, as Bonzi prepared to serve for match point while leading 5-4 in the third set. As the unknown photographer made his way onto the court, the atmosphere became electric, prompting a delay that lasted more than six minutes.
In a highly charged dispute with umpire Greg Allensworth, Medvedev expressed his anger, and the crowd quickly rallied behind him, unleashing a wave of boos directed at Bonzi as he attempted to regain his focus. This heightened support from the audience seemed to momentarily shift energies, but ultimately, Bonzi would return to serve following the chaos and secure a stunning 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 0-6, 6-4 victory close to 1 AM local time.
"I just expressed my emotions," noted Medvedev, reflecting on how the incident unfolded. The USTA has since announced that the photographer's credentials for the 2025 Open have been revoked following the incident.
The match showcased the tensions that can arise in professional tennis amidst unexpected distractions and tested both players' composure. Bonzi remarked on the unique intensity of the situation, noting how difficult it was to play under such conditions.
The incident was another chapter in Medvedev’s complex relationship with the US Open audience. Once regarded as the "friendly villain," Medvedev has often engaged with the crowd both positively and negatively in previous tournaments. However, during this match, the emotional toll became evident as Medvedev sat on the court, visibly upset post-loss, smashing his racquet in frustration and shedding tears as Bonzi conducted his post-match interview.
Reflecting on this defeat, Medvedev candidly admitted feeling like he wanted to "finish his career." While he remains determined to continue, the future appears uncertain as he is set to slip out of the top 20 rankings shortly.
