(Video) Daniil Medvedev Clashes with US Open Chair Umpire After Photographer Walks on Court at Match Point

Daniil Medvedev has registered his third Grand Slam first-round defeat to France’s Benjamin Bonzi.

(Video) Daniil Medvedev Clashes with US Open Chair Umpire After Photographer Walks on Court at Match Point

Daniil Medvedev argued with the chair umpire over first serve decision during clash with Benjamin Bonzi (Image via X/TENNISCentel, US Open Tennis, The Tennis Letter)

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Daniil Medvedev sparked massive controversy during his first-round match at the US Open. Medvedev, who was pitted against Benjamin Bonzi on Sunday (August 24), was on the verge of elimination in straight sets.

The Frenchman needed just one game win to wrap up the match in his favor. He was serving for the match, and lo! He missed it as a photographer inadvertently interrupted the match by walking on the court.

To Medvedev’s utter surprise, umpire Greg Allensworth granted Bonzi another first serve. The Russian ace approached the umpire and gestured to the crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium to continue booing. Medvedev then gave Allensworth a piece of his mind.

Are you a man? Are you a man?… Why are you shaking? What’s wrong?… And you want to go home? He wants to go home, guys [yells to the crowd]. He doesn’t like to be here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.

His heated argument with the chair umpire riled up the fans, who booed for about six minutes, causing a delay. The interruption helped the 2021 US Open champion, who saved the match point to tie the score and eventually won the third set, and twice he made a heart symbol with his hands to thank the crowd for their support. In the fourth set, he bageled Bonzi.

Watch the video of the incident here:

In the end, Medvedev’s efforts went in vain as with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 scoreline, Bonzi booked a spot in the second round of the US Open for the third time in his career. For Medvedev, it was his third straight defeat in the Grand Slam first round this year.

In this year’s French Open, he suffered a five-set defeat to Cameron Norrie, while at Wimbledon, it was Bonzi who eliminated him in four sets. The World No.51 now leads 3-0 in the head-to-head matchups against the former World No.1. All of these matches they played in the first rounds of Grand Slam events (2017 Roland Garros, and this year’s Wimbledon and US Open).

Taylor Fritz backs the umpire’s decision during the Daniil Medvedev versus Benjamin Bonzi match

Taylor Fritz supported the umpire’s decision, although he empathized with Daniil Medvedev. Fritz, who beat fellow American Emilio Nava in straight sets just before Medvedev’s clash with Benjamin Bonzi at Louis Armstrong Stadium, took to X and implied that the fault was only the photographer’s in this case.

Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev (via X/The Tennis Letter)

It sucks for the returner and it’s not fair but at the same time someone literally running on the court, who isn’t supposed to be on the court between serves is insane and not just something you play on through. After Allensworth calls at the guy to not come on the court and there’s an interruption caused, you can’t make him hit a 2nd.

Check out his post here:

Shortly after the Medvedev-Bonzi clash, renowned tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg revealed that the photographer was escorted from the court by security and that his credential has been revoked for the rest of the tournament.

While Medvedev will be reflecting more on what he must do to regain his form, Fritz will continue his hunt for his career’s first Grand Slam title. Last year, he failed to end American men’s Grand Slam title drought with a straight-set defeat to World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the final. The home favorite will be locking horns with Sebastian Baez or Lloyd Harris in the second round.

Bonzi, in the second round, will meet America’s Marcos Giron, who overcame Mariano Navone in five sets in his campaign opener. Bonzi has never progressed beyond the third round of a Grand Slam tournament.

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