There were extraordinary scenes at the US Open on Sunday when 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev’s match with Benjamin Bonzi was halted on match point for the Frenchman.
Umpire Greg Allensworth put Bonzi back on first serve after a photographer stepped on court, leading to a six-minute delay and a furious response from Medvedev.
“Are you a man?” Medvedev repeatedly asked Allensworth. “Why are you shaking? He wants to go home, guys. He doesn’t like it here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
INSANE scenes in the Medvedev & Bonzi match at US Open
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
Daniil Medvedev’s reaction after breaking serve to stay alive in the 3rd set against Bonzi at U.S. Open.
He gives a 🫶 to the crowd.
This match is NUTS.
pic.twitter.com/ePMAKbUwug— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025
US Open 2025: Photographer halts match
The US Tennis Association said security escorted the photographer off before his credentials were revoked.
“I wasn’t upset with the photographer,” world number 13 Medvedev said. “I was upset with the decision.
“Every time there’s a sound from the stands between serves, there’s never a second serve. But the umpire gave him a first serve. That’s what made me angry.”
Medvedev and Bonzi both trying to get the US Open crowd on their side
😭😭😭😭😭😭pic.twitter.com/aWUxzwnut5— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025
Daniil Medvedev hits one of the BEST VOLLEYS OF HIS LIFE against Bonzi at the US Open.
Followed up by one of the best reactions of his life too 😭😭😭
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025
Daniil Medvedev vs Benjamin Bonzi
The controversy had a galvanizing effect on Medvedev, who subsequently broke, won a tie-break and took the contest to five sets in a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4 defeat.
The 29-year-old is known for his occasionally volcanic temper and has defined his relationship with the US Open crowd as a love-hate one across various flashpoints.
Daniil Medvedev looking totally distraught after his loss to Bonzi at the U.S. open.
He’s smashing his racquet and just sitting on the court.
Brutal loss to swallow.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025
In the first of them, against Feliciano Lopez in 2019, Medvedev took a towel from a ballperson, threw a racket at the umpire after receiving a code violation and was booed after appearing to raise a finger to the arena.
“I want all of you to know when you sleep tonight, I won because of you,” he then jibed in his on-court interview.
“The more you do this, the more I will win for you guys.”
US Open 2025: Bonzi vs Giron
World number 51 Bonzi will play American Marcos Giron, who is ranked four below him, in the second round.
The 29-year-old has never been past the third round of a major but has now won both of his ATP Tour meetings with Medvedev, knocking him out in the first round of the 2017 French Open.
Medvedev has had a year to forget, suffering first-round exits at all three Grand Slam tournaments since being knocked out of the Australian Open in the second round.
