Amid the electrifying atmosphere of the US Open, former champion Daniil Medvedev's campaign came to an abrupt halt following a controversial incident involving a photographer. Medvedev faced Benjamin Bonzi in the first round, where tensions escalated dramatically due to an unexpected court intrusion.
As Medvedev was grappling with match point while down 5-4 in the third set, a cameraman inadvertently stepped onto the court at a critical moment, causing a significant disruption in play. Umpire Greg Allensworth's decision to allow Bonzi another first serve ultimately sparked a fierce backlash from Medvedev, who expressed his outrage in front of the crowd, igniting fervor among spectators.
After a chaotic six-minute delay, the tumultuous ambiance affecting Bonzi's focus led to a surprising twist in the match. He fought back from the brink of defeat, eventually clinching the fifth set, sealing a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5-7), 0-6, 6-4 victory just before 1 AM.
Medvedev later reflected on the incident, noting, “I just expressed my emotions, my unhappiness with the decision.” Following the match, the photographer was escorted out of Louis Armstrong Stadium and had their credential revoked for the remainder of the tournament.
The incident added a layer of drama to an already tumultuous match, showcasing Medvedev's notorious flair for drawing crowd support through his fiery protests—a strategy that served him well in previous matches. Despite this, the Russian star's misfortunes continued as this loss marked his third consecutive first-round exit in Grand Slam tournaments this year.
Feeling despondent, Medvedev was visibly shaken after the match, smashing his racquet in frustration and shedding tears. With his ranking on the brink of plummeting out of the top 20, the former world number one contemplated the toll of his career. “Not today, but when I'm finishing my career, you never know where you want to do it,” Medvedev remarked, signifying his contemplative state post-defeat.
