Daniil Medvedev has finally opened up about the chaotic 2025 US Open first-round match that spiraled into one of the tournament’s most dramatic moments, revealing that he is “glad” he did not end up winning the encounter.
Speaking on a recent interview, the former US Open champion reflected on the tension, the umpire controversy, the crowd’s involvement, and the emotional fallout that ultimately resulted in a staggering $42,500 in fines.
Inside the Turbulent Moments of Daniil Medvedev’s Match Against Benjamin Bonzi
Medvedev’s meltdown against Benjamin Bonzi became one of the early talking points of this year’s US Open. The five-set roller coaster, already fueled by a late-match confrontation with chair umpire Greg Allensworth, saw Medvedev rile up the crowd and shout repeatedly at the chair.
Play had been halted at match point in the third set after a photographer wandered into the pit, prompting Allensworth to call for a replay of Bonzi’s first serve. Although standard under the rules, the call enraged Medvedev, who charged at the umpire’s chair shouting, “Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking? What’s wrong, huh?”
The confrontation ignited a wave of boos that echoed around the stadium as Medvedev mocked the official, gestured wildly to the crowd, and repeatedly referenced Reilly Opelka’s earlier criticism of the same umpire.
Bonzi eventually held on for a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4 win, while Medvedev wrapped up his night by smashing his racket and leaving with a hefty set of fines for unsportsmanlike conduct and equipment abuse.
Medvedev’s Comments About the Controversial Moment
Medvedev revisited that flashpoint in the podcast, explaining that his fury was not directed at Bonzi but at what he felt was poor timing by the umpire. “Bonzi had nothing to do with it; it was the umpire,” he said in an interview with Bolshe.
He acknowledged that similar disruptions happen often but believed this one came at a critical moment. “I still think, and I’m not criticizing anyone, but I think that it wasn’t the right moment to grant him the first serve. It often happens that the crowd shouts, and the photographer was off the court very quickly. I would’ve most likely made an error off that second serve and the match would’ve been over.”
The Russian tennis star admitted that the chaos he stirred “backfired against Bonzi,” although he insisted he never urged the crowd to boo him. “I didn’t hype the crowd to boo him or anything like that. Deep down I’m glad I didn’t win, because it would’ve been very ugly towards him, and I wouldn’t want that. But when I’m on the court, I try to win, so I played till the end,” he said.
Medvedev’s outburst came with a steep price. According to reports, the former US Open winner forfeited $42,500 in fines, which amounted to 38.6 percent of the $110,000 he earned at the tournament. He was also penalized an additional $30,000 for unsportsmanlike behavior and another $12,500 for damaging his racket and other equipment.
