Daniil Medvedev Melts Down At U.S. Open In Midst Of Match Delay
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The U.S. Open descended into chaos on Sunday when a photographer came onto the court during the match between Daniil Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi, leading to an almost six-minute delay due to Medvedev’s outburst.
While Bonzi was preparing to play his second serve, a photographer walked onto the court. The interruption led the chair umpire, Greg Allensworth, to call time.
Allensworth instructed the photographer to leave the court and return Bonzi to first serve, citing the delay. The decision sparked an emotional outburst from Medvedev at Louis Armstrong Stadium as he went to confront the chair umpire.
“Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking?” Medvedev said as he approached the chair. “He wants to go home, guys. He doesn’t like it here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
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The crowd continued to boo for another six minutes and refused to stay quiet so Bonzi could serve. The crowd chanted “second serve.”
Medvedev fended off the match point and rallied enough to send the match to a fifth set.
A U.S. Tennis Association spokesperson said the photographer was removed from the court by security and his credentials were revoked.
In a press conference after the match, Medvedev explained that his reaction was due to Allensworth’s decision, not the photographer’s.
“I was not upset with the photographer,” Medvedev said. “Every time there’s a sound from the stands between serves, there is never a second serve. But, well, that helped me get back into the match. It was a fun moment to live.”
Medvedev continued that he did not believe he was responsible for the crowd’s reaction, which contributed to the six-minute delay.
Bonzi said Medvedev’s behavior crossed a line during his post-match press conference.
“It was not my call to say first serve,” Bonzi said. “Daniil started it. He put oil on the fire.”
Bonzi prevailed despite the dramatic events, securing a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4 victory.
Article by Ethan Gonzalez
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