Daniil Medvedev was furious after a photographer at the U.S. Open inadvertently walked onto the court of his live match against Benjamin Bonzi during the first round on Sunday evening.
At match point, with advantage on the side of Bonzi, play was suddenly interruped when the chair umpire told a photographer to get off the court. Because of the delay, the chair umpire granted Bonzi first serve, which did not sit well with Medvedev, who felt he was being unfairly punished.
Irate, Medvedev ran up to the chair umpire and began encouraging the crowd in Queens to continue booing. He then gave the chair umpire an earful, and accused him of wanting to "go home."
"He wants to go home, guys. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour," Medvedev said of the umpire while speaking to the booing crowd.
Daniil Medvedev was visibly upset after a camera person walked on the court at match point. pic.twitter.com/5wnVf2GSFm
— ESPN (@espn) August 25, 2025
The delay ultimately worked in Medvedev's favor, however. Play was paused for nearly six minutes for the bizarre series of events, and when it resumed, the Russian native was able to claw back and equalize against Bonzi. Medvedev stunningly managed to come back and force both a fourth and fifth set, but was defeated in heartbreaking fashion late.
Much like during the delay, the 29-year-old didn't do much to contain his emotions in defeat. He was seen smashing his racket on the ground after the five-set loss in the first round, completely destroying his equipment.
Daniil Medvedev looking totally distraught after his loss to Bonzi at the U.S. open.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025
He’s smashing his racquet and just sitting on the court.
Brutal loss to swallow.
pic.twitter.com/CYvceKNR2M
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Daniil Medvedev Was Irate After Photographer Walks On Court at Match Point in U.S. Open.
