Introduction to the Incident
Daniil Medvedev’s match was delayed more than six minutes between points Sunday night, after a photographer entered the court on match point and the 2021 U.S. Open champion became enraged by the chair umpire’s decision to award his opponent a first serve.
The Match and Its Outcome
The No. 13 seed was a point away from being eliminated, then won the next two sets to force a deciding fifth before Benjamin Bonzi eliminated him from a second straight major with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4 victory that ended early Monday. “It’s kind of crazy, this match,” Bonzi said. “For me, it’s like my best victory ever.” And he blamed Medvedev for making it a tense one, saying he believed the Russian’s behavior crossed a line.
The Photographer Incident
Bonzi had just hit his first serve leading 5-4 in the third set. After he missed it, a photographer left his position and began walking along the side of the court. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth told the photographer to get off the court, then announced that Bonzi would get another first serve because of the delay — which is common in tennis. Medvedev then approached the chair to complain about the decision. “He wants to go home, guys. He doesn’t like to be here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour,” Medvedev shouted into the microphones behind the chair.
Medvedev’s Reaction and Explanation
Medvedev said after the match that he didn’t believe the interference from the photographer was long enough to warrant restarting the point. “I was not upset with the photographer. I was upset with the decision,” Medvedev said. “The delay from the photographer was probably four seconds and a half. I’m not sure it’s enough for a (first) serve.” Medvedev also shouted “What did Reilly Opelka say? What did Reilly Opelka say?” as he backed away from Allensworth’s chair. Opelka was penalized by the ATP Tour in February after calling Allensworth the “worst ump on tour. ” Medvedev wouldn’t elaborate on that part of the exchange during his press conference.
The Booing Incident and Its Aftermath
Medvedev blew kisses to fans and kept encouraging the loud boos, which lasted so long that he then tried to get fans to quiet down so Bonzi could serve. When Bonzi finally did, he missed the first serve and then lost the point, and Medvedev won the game and later the set to prolong the match. Bonzi, who had fans chanting his name at times, appeared ready to serve at one point before some started whistling. He explained that he didn’t want to hit because it’s difficult to play tennis without being able to hear the sound of the ball. “Every time I went on the line to serve and every time I did that, everyone was booing. I felt I didn’t do anything bad in the match to, like, receive this treatment, and I didn’t want to serve in those conditions,” Bonzi said. “So I was waiting.”
Conclusion
The incident highlighted the tense and sometimes contentious nature of professional tennis, where players, umpires, and fans can all contribute to a volatile atmosphere. Medvedev’s outburst and the subsequent booing from the crowd added a layer of complexity to the match, which ultimately ended in Bonzi’s victory. The U.S. Tennis Association’s decision to revoke the photographer’s credential also underscored the importance of maintaining order and respect during tennis matches.
FAQs
Q: What caused the delay in Medvedev’s match?
A: The delay was caused by a photographer who entered the court on match point, prompting the chair umpire to award Medvedev’s opponent a first serve.
Q: How did Medvedev react to the decision?
A: Medvedev became enraged and approached the chair to complain, shouting at the umpire and encouraging the crowd to boo.
Q: What was the outcome of the match?
A: Benjamin Bonzi won the match 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4, eliminating Medvedev from the tournament.
Q: What happened to the photographer who entered the court?
A: The photographer was escorted from the court by U.S. Open security and had his credential revoked.
Q: How did the crowd react to Medvedev’s behavior?
A: The crowd booed Medvedev, but he encouraged them to continue, eventually trying to quiet them down so his opponent could serve.
