Daniil Medvedev’s 2025 US Open opener descended into chaos on Sunday night, sparking fan outrage and strong words from tennis great Boris Becker. The former World No. 1 urged the Russian to get professional help after he launched into a furious tirade at chair umpire Greg Allensworth, agitated the crowd, and smashed his racket following a five-set defeat to Benjamin Bonzi.
Social media quickly lit up with concern over Medvedev’s well-being, with many fans echoing Becker’s call for him to step away from the sport and reset.
How Did Boris Becker and Tennis Fans React to Daniil Medvedev’s Meltdown?
Reactions poured in almost immediately online, where clips of the tirade spread rapidly. Six-time Grand Slam champion Becker called the incident a “public meltdown” and openly questioned whether Medvedev needed professional intervention, writing, “I think he needs professional help?!”
We call this “public meltdown “ …
I think he needs professional help ?!? https://t.co/rFyTmegQqx— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) August 25, 2025
Fans echoed similar sentiments, framing the outburst as the latest sign of a deeper struggle. “What a crazy match. Medvedev has a very very poor year and this is a lot of frustration. He should probably just stop playing this year and restart in 2026,” one fan posted.
What a crazy match. Medvedev has a very very poor year and this is a lot of frustration. He should probably just stop playing this year and restart in 2026. https://t.co/5s4aMbQF11
— Quintin Schevernels (@Quintin24) August 25, 2025
Another added, “I do wonder if an extended break (after USO) from the sport would be the best thing for Daniil now. Playing loads just isn’t helping with a breakthrough and it’s making him worse (both game wise and mentally).”
I do wonder if an extended break (after USO) from the sport would be the best thing for Daniil now. Playing loads just isn’t helping with a breakthrough and it’s making him worse (both game wise and mentally). https://t.co/dz35qBJLkI
— James Steel a.k.a Tennis Ranter (@JamesSteelTNS) August 25, 2025
Others expressed sadness rather than anger at the collapse. “I’m shocked and saddened. Hoping he understands what’s going on and fight it,” wrote one follower.
Another time, a fan observed the decline in stark terms: “Got to feel for him. Not too long ago he was among the top seeds and lately it has been downhill.” A fan wrote, ” I’m Feeling bad for him. I hope he is back at his best soon. He is a champion.”
A handful of voices, however, argued that Allensworth deserved some blame for letting the situation spiral, with one comment reading, “My problem with Allensworth today is that he didn’t issue an unsportsmanlike conduct warning to Med right away. Had Med kept going on and on, there should’ve been another warning = point penalty = GSM Bonzi. But then TT would’ve blamed the chair for ruining the match anyway.”
What Triggered Medvedev’s Outburst During the Match?
Medvedev, a 2021 US Open champion known for his quirky personality and at times combustible temperament, has endured a season marked by inconsistency and growing frustration. Once a fixture in the top five, his ranking and confidence have slipped throughout 2025, compounded by early exits at major events.
The melting point arrived at a critical juncture in Sunday’s match. Down two sets and facing match point in the third, Medvedev appeared on the verge of a quick elimination. Just as Bonzi missed his first serve, a photographer wandered into the pit, prompting Allensworth to stop play and rule that the Frenchman would be given another first serve.
The decision, a routine application of the rules, set Medvedev off. He charged at the umpire’s chair, shouting, “Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking? What’s wrong, huh?” His anger intensified as he mocked Allensworth, telling the crowd, “He wants to go home guys. He doesn’t like to be here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
Medvedev then channeled a controversy from earlier in the season, invoking Reilly Opelka’s infamous comments about Allensworth at the Dallas Open in February. Opelka had labeled him “the worst umpire on tour” and argued he should be penalized for failing to handle hecklers during a tense match. Medvedev repeatedly yelled, “What did Reilly Opelka say? What did Reilly Opelka say?” into the camera, waving at the audience to raise their voices.
His antics whipped the stadium into a frenzy, with boos cascading for several minutes as Bonzi waited helplessly at the baseline. Medvedev fanned the flames further, blowing kisses at the umpire and sarcastically forming a heart with his hands toward the crowd. The surreal pause lasted nearly seven minutes, turning the match into a theater of hostility.
INSANE scenes in the Medvedev & Bonzi match at US Open
A cameraman was trying to leave after Bonzi missed his 1st serve.
The umpire gave Bonzi a 1st serve.
Daniil: “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… pic.twitter.com/nzlqgoWxre
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025
Medvedev eventually saved a match point and snatched the third set in a tiebreak, feeding off the energy he had generated. He stormed through the fourth set 6-0, hinting at a dramatic turnaround. But his focus unraveled again in the decider.
Bonzi, who had already beaten Medvedev earlier this summer at Wimbledon, steadied himself to close out a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 victory. Medvedev capped his night of fury by smashing his racket against his bench, splintering it in full view of the crowd.
Bonzi reached the US Open second round for the third time in his career, where he will face home favorite Marcos Giron in their maiden ATP Tour showdown. The winner will move on to play either Arthur Rinderknech or 18th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the last 32.
