Tennis fans witnessed a dramatic scene at the US Open on Sunday night when Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion, lost his cool during a first-round clash against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.
What started as a tightly contested match quickly turned into an on-court spectacle, leaving fans talking long after the final point.
Delay Sparks Fury
The drama began in the third set when Medvedev and Bonzi were locked in a battle on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Bonzi was serving for the match at 5-4, leading after taking the first two sets.
But a delay of over six minutes between points set the stage for Medvedev’s explosive reaction.
The hold-up occurred when a photographer, attempting to capture Bonzi’s moment of triumph, left his position prematurely, disrupting the play.
Chair umpire Greg Allensworth granted Bonzi another first serve due to the interruption, a standard procedure in tennis—but Medvedev saw red.
The Meltdown
Medvedev stormed to the umpire’s chair, encouraging the crowd to boo and shouting, “Are you a man? Are you a man?” He repeatedly referenced Reilly Opelka’s earlier criticisms of Allensworth, further stoking the tension.
The crowd’s noise eventually forced him to call for quiet so Bonzi could serve, and when Bonzi double-faulted, Medvedev seized the game and later took the set in a tiebreaker.
A USTA spokesperson confirmed the photographer was removed and had his credentials revoked, but the drama wasn’t over for Medvedev.
The Comeback Attempt
Medvedev dominated the fourth set 6-0, signaling hope for a comeback. Yet, his emotions continued to run high.
At one point, he celebrated wildly in a manner described as graphic, though it’s unclear whether it was aimed at the umpire or the crowd.
Despite his efforts, Bonzi produced a remarkable fifth-set performance, holding on for a stunning upset victory.
Post-Match Outburst
After the match, Medvedev’s frustration boiled over.
He repeatedly smashed his racket on the bench and disrupted Bonzi’s celebratory moment, echoing his infamous 2019 meltdown on the same court.
Back then, Medvedev had hurled a towel, thrown his racket, and flashed a middle finger toward an umpire, resulting in a $9,000 fine—but also eventually led to his first US Open title two years later.
A History of Heated Exchanges
This isn’t Medvedev’s first run-in with umpire Greg Allensworth.
Earlier this year, Reilly Opelka criticized Allensworth during the Dallas Open for failing to penalize a disruptive fan, calling him the “worst ump on tour.”
Past incidents like these have contributed to the tension seen in Sunday’s match, highlighting a pattern of friction between the Russian star and the umpiring crew.
Upset Sets the Tone
Medvedev’s struggles in 2025 majors have been apparent, including a first-round loss to Bonzi at Wimbledon.
The US Open defeat adds another chapter to his challenging year, showing that even a former champion can be rattled by both the crowd and controversial calls.
