On Sunday night at the U.S. Open, chaos erupted during a match between Daniil Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi. Medvedev, a former world No. 1 and U.S. Open champion, faced match point against him when a photographer mistakenly rushed onto the court, thinking the game was over. This unexpected interruption caused a six-minute delay.
At that moment, Bonzi had already been leading two sets to one and was serving. The chair umpire, Greg Allensworth, decided Bonzi should retake his first serve instead of hitting a second. The USTA later confirmed the photographer had lost his credentials for the tournament after being escorted out.
Medvedev, known for his fiery nature, didn’t hold back. He confronted Allensworth, urging the fans to voice their frustration. “Are you a man? What’s wrong?” he shouted, creating a vivid scene as the crowd joined in, demanding a second serve.
After the delay, Bonzi struggled with the pressure. Though he tried to maintain his composure, Medvedev rallied and won crucial points. Eventually, Medvedev took the set in a tiebreak, prompting cheers from the crowd. Despite the bizarre circumstances, he managed to pull off an impressive comeback.
Bonzi, affected by the chaotic atmosphere, even called for a trainer midway through the fourth set but ultimately struggled and lost the set to Medvedev. Later, when Bonzi faced match point again, he sank a passing shot, securing his unexpected victory after almost four tense hours.
Post-match, Bonzi reflected on the wild experience: “It was crazy. I maybe got some new fans but also some non-fans.” He noted how difficult it was to focus amid the noise from the crowd.
For Medvedev, this loss marked another disappointing exit from a Grand Slam, contributing to what has been a tough year for him. His ranking is expected to drop from No. 13, as he has only one win in major tournaments this season.
Medvedev candidly admitted, “I’m playing bad and in important moments, even worse,” expressing a desire to improve for the next season.
This match drew significant attention, with users on social media sharing their thoughts on the dramatic events and Medvedev’s notorious reputation as the “antihero” of tennis. The episode is a reminder of how unpredictably thrilling tennis can be, illustrating the impact of crowd dynamics and player psychology at such high-stakes competitions.
In a broader sense, this match highlights the increasing importance of officiating in high-pressure sports environments. In fact, recent statistics show that a significant number of players express concerns over officiating decisions at major events, underscoring the pressure both players and officials face.
As Bonzi gears up for his next challenge against America’s Marcos Giron, Medvedev must regroup and reflect on how to bounce back from yet another early exit.
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