Daniil Medvedev’s Controversial Match at the US Open
Daniil Medvedev found himself at the center of on-court controversy during a tense third-set showdown at the US Open held in New York on Sunday night. The former champion’s match against Benjamin Bonzi was interrupted for over six minutes at a critical juncture due to a photographer exiting the court just as Bonzi prepared to hit a crucial second serve while leading 5-4.
Medvedev, visibly upset, disputed the chair umpire’s ruling that allowed Bonzi a redo on his first serve due to this interruption, a common protocol in tennis.
Rising Tensions and Crowd Reaction
As tensions mounted, Medvedev voiced his frustrations loudly, suggesting that the umpire, Greg Allensworth, was eager to conclude the match early. He remarked,
“He wants to go home, guys. He doesn’t like to be here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
His comments resonated with the crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium, who began to boo in response to the delay and the umpire’s decision.
In a twist, after rallying the audience’s disapproval, Medvedev attempted to tone down the noise so Bonzi could serve. However, the pressure seemed to get to the Frenchman, and he subsequently double-faulted, allowing Medvedev to claim the game.
Outcome and Historical Context
Medvedev went on to win the set in a tiebreak, which extended the contest. This incident echoes Medvedev’s past experiences on the same court, particularly a match in 2019 that saw him garner fan disapproval but ultimately fuel his performance, leading him to the finals. He captured the trophy in 2021, making this year’s match a poignant reminder of how crowd dynamics can influence the atmosphere and performance of players in high-stakes matches like the US Open.
