Daniil Medvedev Confirms Stance on Benjamin Bonzi’s Match Point During Their Dramatic US Open Clash

Daniil Medvedev has now suffered three straight first-round exits at Grand Slams, with his last major victory coming at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Daniil Medvedev Confirms Stance on Benjamin Bonzi’s Match Point During Their Dramatic US Open Clash

Daniil Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi (via X/TENNIScentel/Jose Morgado)

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Daniil Medvedev has revealed that he never intended to disrupt Benjamin Bonzi from serving for the match in the third set of their encounter on Sunday (August 24) at the US Open. The former World No.1 fell to the Frenchman in a five-set thriller in the opening round to end his year at Grand Slam events with just one match win.

Bonzi was just one point away from sending Medvedev out of the tournament in straight sets as he appeared ready to serve on match point at 5-4 (40/30) in the third set. But unexpectedly, a cameraman ran from the court entrance onto the court surface as he aimed to take a position in the photographers’ pit so as not to miss the Frenchman’s last serve.

That led umpire Greg Allensworth to award Bonzi a first serve because of the disruption of the photographer. Medvedev then took advantage of the situation, stirring the crowd to his side as he went to remonstrate with the umpire, claiming that Allensworth wanted the match to end because he was tired of it.

After inciting the crowd to boo the umpire, the sustained noise delayed the match for about five minutes. The longer the boos rang, the more Medvedev was concerned and began to urge the crowd to be silent. Upon resumption, Bonzi faulted and the Russian star rallied back into the match and claimed the third set.

However, that was not enough in the end as Bonzi held his nerve in the fifth set, beating the World No.13 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 to reach the second round. During Medvedev’s press conference, he was asked how much he wanted to derail the match at the Louise Armstrong Stadium.

Honestly not at all. Because for sure I was disappointed. I thought, ‘He has a match point on his serve. I didn’t break him once in the match.’ I thought I’m losing the match. And ok it’s 2nd serve, I think if the referee doesn’t say anything, he makes a 2nd serve and probably wins the point and the match is over. He says first serve, I like… what I say and what I do… in my head.. I wanna do worse. I cannot… I just expressed my emotions and unhappiness and then the crowd did what they did without me asking.

Medvedev has not won a Grand Slam match since the Australian Open. He fell to Cameron Norrie in five sets in the first round of the Roland Garros. At Wimbledon, he fell to Bonzi in four sets before losing to the Frenchman again in New York. He was projected to face Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16 at the US Open, but after his recent defeat, the Spaniard would be relieved a bit.

Daniil Medvedev gives his verdict on retirement after losing three consecutive Grand Slam matches

Daniil Medvedev has not enjoyed success in major tournaments this season but has certainly had some in the ATP 500 and 1000 tournaments. He reached the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells and then finished as a runner-up at the Terra Wortmann Open.

Daniil Medvedev Washington Open 2025
Daniil Medvedev (Image via Getty)

The 29-year-old was asked if the third consecutive Grand Slam loss in New York, signaled the end of his career. Medvedev revealed he’s far from ending his career on tour, but added that the US Open would be a good place to play his final professional match.

No, not today. But I mean when I’m finishing my career, you never know where you wanna do it. Today I was like, ‘this might be a nice place to do it.’

Medvedev last reached a Grand Slam final at the 2024 Australian Open, where he fell to Jannik Sinner in five sets. The Russian star has been to six major tournament finals in his career, winning just one title in the process. Apart from losing to Sinner, he has lost in the finals to Novak Djokovic and twice to Rafael Nadal.

Also read: Emma Raducanu Embraces the Controversial US Open Mixed Doubles Format Amid Partnership With Carlos Alcaraz