Daniil Medvedev has been fined $42,500 by the U.S. Open for unsportsmanlike conduct and racket abuse after the Russian’s heated first-round loss, during which a photographer’s accidental intrusion triggered a lengthy and loud on-court dispute.
The former world No. 1 and 2021 U.S. Open champion was docked $30,000 for unsportsmanlike behavior and another $12,500 for smashing a racket against his sideline chair.
The incident unfolded late Sunday at Louis Armstrong Stadium when France’s Benjamin Bonzi was serving for the third set. A photographer mistakenly walked along the court after a fault, prompting chair umpire Greg Allensworth to award a replayed first serve to Bonzi.
Medvedev stormed toward the chair, provoking boos from the crowd as he accused the umpire of wanting to “go home” and mocked him over the arena microphones.
The delay stretched for more than six minutes, with Bonzi forced to wait amid jeers from the crowd before finally serving again. The 13th-seeded Medvedev went on to win the third and fourth sets, but Bonzi recovered to close out the five-set upset 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4.
–Field Level Media
