Daniil Medvedev-Photographer US Open 2025 controversy explained: What exactly happened; what action has been taken

Daniil Medvedev-Photographer US Open 2025 controversy explained (AP Photo)

Daniil Medvedev-Photographer US Open 2025 controversy explained: Daniil Medvedev endured a 3-6, 5-7, 7(7)-6(5), 6-0, 4-6 defeat at the hands of Benjamin Bonzi at the US Open, which led to his first-round exit. However, not the outcome but Medvedev's epic on-court meltdown became the major talking point of the match. The action saw a delay of over six minutes between points, which was caused due to a photographer.

The bizarre moment took place after a photographer entered the court on match point and Medvedev became enraged by the chair umpire's decision to award his opponent a first serve.

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Medvedev then was a point away from being eliminated, but the exchange certainly fuelled a comeback for the 2021 US Open winner. He then won the next two sets to force a deciding fifth before Bonzi eliminated him from a second straight major.

Medvedev sat in his chair for a few minutes after the match and repeatedly smashed his racket before eventually departing.

What exactly happened?

Bonzi had just hit his first serve leading 5-4 in the third set. After he missed it, a photographer left his position before the Frenchman could hit his second. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth told the photographer to get off the court, then announced that Bonzi would get another first serve because of the delay — which is common in tennis. Medvedev then approached the chair to complain about the decision.

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

Medvedev kept encouraging the loud boos at Louis Armstrong Stadium, which lasted so long that he had to get fans to quiet down so Bonzi could serve. When Bonzi finally did, he double-faulted, and Medvedev won the game and later the set in a tiebreaker to prolong the match.

INSANE scenes in the Medvedev & Bonzi match at US Open Story continues below Advertisement Remove Ad A cameraman was trying to leave after Bonzi missed his 1st serve. The umpire gave Bonzi a 1st serve. Daniil: “Are you a man? Are you a man? why are you shaking? What’s wrong huh? Guys he wants to leave. He gets paid by… pic.twitter.com/nzlqgoWxre — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025

Was any action taken against the photographer?

As reported by Reuters, a US Tennis Association spokesman said the photographer was escorted from the court by US Open security and his credential was revoked.

Benjamin Bonzi reflects on the proceedings

“I tried to stay calm in the match but it was not easy,” said Bonzi. Reflecting on the meltdown, the French tennis player noted: “I never experienced something like that.”

Almost a recap of 2019

It was reminiscent of Medvedev's 2019 match on the same court, when fans booed him for his antics and he later taunted the crowd in his post-match interview, saying the jeers gave him energy. Medvedev had snatched the towel from a ballperson during the match and was given a code violation by umpire Damien Dumusois. Medvedev then threw his racket in the direction of Dumusois, barked something at him and later flashed his middle finger next to his forehead as he walked past the umpire’s chair, actions that led to him being fined $9,000 for that match.

Medvedev reached the final that year.

-with inputs from Reuters

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