Reuters
Russia's Daniil Medvedev talks to the referee during his first round match against France's Benjamin Bonzi. [Source: Reuters]
Daniil Medvedev’s turbulent relationship with the U.S. Open took another dramatic turn on Sunday as the former champion was shown the door by France’s Benjamin Bonzi at the end of a chaotic first-round encounter.
Medvedev brought the match to a standstill for about six minutes while staring down match point in the third set, disputing an officiating decision after a photographer had interrupted Bonzi’s serve by stepping onto the court surface.
Chair umpire Greg Allensworth’s decision to give Bonzi a first serve instead of a second after the interruption sparked Medvedev’s fury.
As boos erupted from the night-session crowd, Medvedev embraced the chaos, rallying fans into a frenzy in a scene he later described as “fun to witness”.
Bonzi said he felt Medvedev’s behaviour had crossed the line.
The defeat caps a terrible year at the majors for Medvedev, who ends 2025 with just one win across the four Grand Slams.
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