Medvedev fined $42,500 After Angry U.S. Open First-Round Exit

Photo:Reuters

Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev, once ranked World No. 1 and champion at the U.S. Open in 2021, faced one of the most dramatic nights of his career when he suffered both a shocking defeat and a massive financial penalty in the first round of the 2025 U.S. Open.

The 28-year-old was fined a total of $42,500, which is more than one-third of the $110,000 prize money he earned for participating in the tournament. The fines were split into two punishments — $30,000 for unsportsmanlike behavior and another $12,500 for racket abuse.

What Sparked the Meltdown?

The match against French player Benjamin Bonzi at Louis Armstrong Stadium was already tense, but things turned chaotic late in the third set. Bonzi was just a point away from victory, leading 5-4, when an unexpected interruption occurred.

A credentialed photographer began walking along the court just after Bonzi’s first serve had landed in the net. This unusual disturbance forced the chair umpire, Greg Allensworth, to stop the game briefly. He asked the photographer to leave and then made a crucial decision — Bonzi would be given a fresh first serve instead of continuing with his second serve.

This decision enraged Medvedev, who stormed toward the umpire’s chair to protest.

Crowd Drama and Medvedev’s Anger

Fans inside the stadium quickly got involved. Many booed the decision and loudly chanted “Second serve! Second serve!”, siding with Medvedev’s argument.

The Russian star did not hold back his emotions. He mocked the umpire by speaking into the microphones placed near the chair:

“He wants to go home, guys. He doesn’t like to be here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”

The argument stopped play for more than six minutes, creating chaos in the stadium. The photographer’s credential was later revoked by tournament officials for breaking protocol and disturbing play.

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Medvedev’s Fightback — and Final Collapse

Surprisingly, after the drama, Medvedev managed to channel his anger into winning the third set in a tiebreak and then dominating the fourth set 6-0. For a moment, it looked like he would complete a remarkable comeback.

But in the deciding fifth set, Bonzi regained control and held his nerve to win 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4, sending Medvedev crashing out of the U.S. Open in the very first round.

Destruction of Rackets

When the match ended, Medvedev’s frustration boiled over again. He repeatedly smashed his racket against his sideline chair, breaking the equipment into pieces — an action that led to the additional $12,500 fine.

A Troubling Pattern

This loss marked Medvedev’s third straight first-round exit in Grand Slam tournaments. Just last month, he lost at Wimbledon, also to Bonzi, and earlier this year he failed to advance at the French Open.

The string of early exits raises questions about his form, focus, and ability to handle high-pressure moments, despite once being considered one of the strongest players in men’s tennis.

Why This Matters

Medvedev’s meltdown will likely be remembered as one of the most chaotic moments in recent U.S. Open history. It highlights how outside factors — like a photographer walking into the wrong place — can dramatically change the flow of a professional tennis match.

It also shows how thin the line is between focus and frustration at the top level of the sport. While Bonzi celebrated one of the biggest wins of his career, Medvedev walked away not just with defeat but also with a stinging fine that cost him a large portion of his tournament earnings.

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