By L A Adithya
The former World No.1 broke mayhem and engaged in a heated altercation with the on-chair umpire at the Louis Armstrong Arena on Monday, August 25, at the US Open 2025. Daniil Medvedev went vehemently ballistic at the sitting umpire when Benjamin Bonzi, the French contender ranked 51, was granted a first serve despite having served a fault.
This was due to the on-court interference from one of the photographers present on the courtside, which prompted Greg Allensworth, the chair-umpire to allow another first serve to the Frenchman. To his dissatisfaction, Medvedev, quick on his toes, riled up the crowd against the umpire and marched toward the umpire chair, mocking and bullying him for what he thought was an absolute disgrace of a decision.
On the verge of winning it in straight sets, a win was on Bonzi’s cards, 3-6, 5-7, 4-5 when this incident took place. The crowd, fully jacked up, was relentless and unforgiving of the umpire’s call and was in tune with the Russian’s provoking indications toward Allensworth. “Why are you shaking? Are you a man?” Medvedev lashed out with distasteful sarcasm before getting back to his position and jogging up some more boos and abuses from the crowd at the umpire.
Folding under pressure, Benzi gave up the set to the Russian, albeit having the game wrapped around his fingers with a match point in hand. Yet still the Frenchman found a way through and brought the match home in a thrilling five-setter.
The theatrics didn’t just end there, as he had a meltdown immediately after the match where he smashed his racket on the ground multiple times before rendering it to a sorry state.
This year has proved a disappointing one as Medvedev sees himself go on an underwhelming run at the major grand slams.
The New York crowd also sought heavy criticisms for their behavior during the match, for playing into the Russian’s antics.
Bonzi is now set to face the American Marcos Giron in the second round of the competition.