Daniil Medvedev was fined $42,500 by the United States Tennis Association for his meltdown during the US Open 2025 first-round game, where a photographer wandered onto the court during the match.
The financial penalty forms more than a third of the Russian athlete’s $110,000 prize money. Tournament referee Jake Garner imposed a fine of $30,000 on Medvedev for unsportsmanlike conduct and another $12,500 for racket abuse.
After conceding a hard loss against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, Medvedev repeatedly smacked his racket against the sideline chair in frustration. The Tennis player’s rage towards the game was captured on the tournament livestream, inciting sympathetic reactions from fans.
What made Medvedev lose his cool?
Medvedev, former No. 1-ranked player who won the US Open championship at Flushing Meadows in 2021, was angered on Sunday night when chair umpire Greg Allensworth decided to allow his opponent, Benjamin Bonzi, another first serve after a bizarre interruption.
The situation unfolded in the third set when a freelance photojournalist walked onto the court while Bonzi was serving. Bonzi was up 2 sets and had already missed his first serve when play was stopped due to the photographer’s presence on the court.
Noting the disruption caused by the cameraman’s appearance, the chair umpire, Greg Allensworth, allowed Bonzi to take another first serve. That serve came at a crucial moment, as it was match point against Medvedev, the 13th seed.
This decision by the match umpire evidently triggered Medvedev, as he had a heated altercation with the referee post the call. “Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking? What’s wrong, huh? Guys, he wants to leave. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour,” Medvedev was heard shouting at the referee.
Despite powering through the next two sets after the incident, Medvedev conceded a hard loss to the Frenchman, who won the match 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4 over the Russian athlete to move on to the second round.
Post-game developments
Following the match, the USTA revoked the photojournalists’ license to cover the Grand Slam. The photographer’s suspension was quick to draw some sympathy from the Russian athlete.
“I was not upset with the photographer. I was upset with the decision,” Medvedev reacted to the news of the photographer’s suspension. “The delay from the photographer was probably four seconds and a half. I’m not sure it’s enough for a (first) serve,” he explained.
The match marked a disappointing highlight for the former champion, who has now lost in the opening round of a grand slam tournament for the third time in a row.