Medvedev’s Meltdown and Shock US Open Exit: A Chaotic End to a Difficult Season

The first night of the US Open delivered one of the most bizarre and chaotic matches in recent memory, centering on former champion Daniil Medvedev. In a stunning and tumultuous five-set encounter, Medvedev was eliminated in the first round by Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, a defeat punctuated by on-court drama, a furious crowd, and a late-match surge that ultimately fell short. The loss marks a painful end to a Grand Slam season in which Medvedev has struggled to find his form.

A Match Point Interrupted

The extraordinary events unfolded on Louis Armstrong Stadium with Bonzi serving for the match in the third set, leading two sets to love. After missing his first serve, a photographer mistakenly walked onto the court. In a common tennis procedure, chair umpire Greg Allensworth awarded Bonzi a first serve due to the delay. This decision ignited a fiery reaction from Medvedev, who was visibly enraged. He stormed toward the umpire’s chair, shouting accusations and questioning the decision, which he believed was made to get the match over with.

“He wants to go home, guys,” Medvedev yelled into a microphone, “He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”

The outburst led to a six-minute delay, as boos and whistles rained down from the crowd. Medvedev, in a moment of defiance reminiscent of his famous 2019 US Open antics, encouraged the jeers before finally trying to quiet the fans. The chaotic scene appeared to rattle Bonzi, who ultimately lost the point, the game, and eventually the set in a tiebreaker.

A Rollercoaster Comeback and an Unlucky Streak

The momentum swing seemed complete as Medvedev rode the crowd’s energy to a dominating 6-0 win in the fourth set. It appeared he was on his way to one of the most memorable comebacks of his career. However, Benjamin Bonzi, a player who has now beaten Medvedev in two consecutive Grand Slams, showed incredible composure and resilience. He fought back in the fifth set, twice breaking Medvedev‘s serve to reclaim momentum and ultimately seal the match with a 6-4 final set score.

For Medvedev, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow. After winning the US Open in 2021, he has struggled in Grand Slam play this year, with his defeat to Bonzi being his third first-round exit of the season. After the match concluded, a visibly frustrated Medvedev sat in his chair and smashed his racket to pieces before leaving the court, a final act of frustration for a disappointing Grand Slam year.

A Chaotic End to a Difficult Season

The incident serves as a stark reminder of Medvedev‘s volatile relationship with the New York crowd and the high-stakes pressure of a major tournament. While his raw emotion and on-court antics have at times energized him, on this night, they were not enough to save his US Open campaign. The photographer’s credentials were revoked, but the memory of the wild match will undoubtedly live on as one of the most dramatic upsets of the tournament.