Medvedev Gets Furious and Makes a Comeback: Controversy with Fans at the US Open

Medvedev Stars in Court Scene with Controversial Umpiring Decision

New York – Daniil Medvedev’s match was interrupted for more than six minutes on Sunday night, generating a tense atmosphere on the court. The incident occurred at the decisive point of the match, when a photographer entered the court, provoking the anger of the 2021 US Open champion. The controversy arose from the chair umpire’s decision to award a first serve to Medvedev’s opponent. The player Benjamin Bonzi, leading 5-4 in the third set, was preparing for his first serve after winning the first two sets. After missing the first serve, a photographer left their position before the Frenchman could serve the second. The chair umpire, Greg Allensworth, ordered the photographer to leave the court and then announced that Bonzi would be entitled to a new first serve due to the delay, a common practice in tennis. Medvedev was quick to approach the umpire to express his dissatisfaction.

“He wants to go home, guys. He doesn’t like being here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour,” Medvedev shouted into the microphones behind the chair.

Daniil Medvedev

Medvedev, far from calming the situation, encouraged the boos at the Louis Armstrong stadium, which lasted so long that he then tried to calm the fans so that Bonzi could serve. Finally, Bonzi double-faulted, allowing Medvedev to win the game and subsequently the set in a tiebreak, thus extending the match. This episode recalled Medvedev’s match in 2019 on the same court, when the fans booed him for his actions and, subsequently, stated in a post-match interview that the crowd gave him energy. That year, he reached the final and, two years later, won the title.