The 2025 US Open was defined as much by its off-court drama as it was by the tennis itself, with several headline-grabbing controversies overshadowing the action. From explosive tirades and heated net clashes to tense press conferences and scheduling disputes, the tournament was filled with chaos that went far beyond the baseline. When you add security lapses, trophy ceremony mishaps, and media firestorms into the mix, Flushing Meadows became a stage for some of the sport’s most talked-about storylines. Here are ten controversies that defined this year’s US Open.
Daniil Medvedev Explodes at Umpire in Chaotic US Open Loss to Benjamin Bonzi
The 2025 US Open turned chaotic on Sunday, Aug. 24, when Daniil Medvedev launched into a furious tirade at chair umpire Greg Allensworth during his first-round clash with Benjamin Bonzi. The outburst caused a seven-minute delay and riled up the crowd inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The controversial moment came in the third set, with Medvedev down two sets and facing match point. After a photographer wandered onto the court during Bonzi’s serve, Allensworth followed the rulebook and allowed a fresh first serve. Medvedev erupted, shouting, “Are you a man?” and mocking the umpire for being “paid by the match, not the hour.” He also invoked Reilly Opelka’s past criticism of Allensworth, urging the crowd to join in the boos and jeers.
Daniil Medvedev was visibly upset after a camera person walked on the court at match point. pic.twitter.com/5wnVf2GSFm
— ESPN (@espn) August 25, 2025
The Russian rode the chaos to steal the third set and sweep the fourth 6-0, but Bonzi regrouped to win 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4. In an interview afterward, Medvedev said his anger was aimed at the umpire’s ruling, not the photographer. Tournament officials fined him $42,500, which was 38.6% of his $110,000 prize money, for unsportsmanlike conduct and racket abuse.
Taylor Townsend’s US Open Win Overshadowed by Net Clash With Jelena Ostapenko
Taylor Townsend’s second-round victory over Jelena Ostapenko at the 2025 US Open on Aug. 27 was overshadowed by a heated altercation at the net. After closing out a 7-5, 6-1 win on Court 11, Townsend accused Ostapenko of insulting her behavior and education. She also claimed the Latvian warned her about “what happens outside the U.S.”
Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko got into an argument after their match at the U.S. Open 👀 pic.twitter.com/od0GwFykBd
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 27, 2025
Spectators booed Ostapenko during the exchange and rallied behind Townsend, who downplayed the remarks by noting she had beaten her rival before. Ostapenko later defended herself on Instagram, arguing Townsend disrespected her by warming up at the net and not apologizing for a net-cord winner. Days later, she clarified that her “education” comments referred only to tennis etiquette and issued an apology.
Townsend responded graciously after her third-round win over Mirra Andreeva, calling the incident a “learning lesson” for Ostapenko. The controversy didn’t slow her momentum, as she went on to upset one of the top seeds and reach the fourth round.
Iga Świątek’s US Open Run Overshadowed by Heated Press Room Exchanges
Iga Świątek’s 2025 US Open campaign was overshadowed by tense press conferences that often strayed far from tennis. After defeating Suzan Lamens 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in the second round, Świątek faced pointed questions about race and double standards in women’s sports following the Townsend and Ostapenko clash. She responded cautiously, stating that she could only speak from her experience in tennis and avoided making broader claims.
The session grew more awkward when a Polish reporter asked if she had ever considered wearing beads in her hair. Świątek, visibly annoyed, dismissed the question. The inquiry drew criticism due to the cultural significance of beaded hairstyles in tennis. The reporter later apologized, saying he only wanted to break the tension.
The World No. 2 also clashed with reporters after her quarterfinal exit. She snapped back at one journalist who suggested she needed a “mental break,” retorting that perhaps he was the one who needed it.
US Open Final Marred by Mary Carillo’s Controversial Trophy Ceremony
The 2025 US Open women’s final ended in controversy when Mary Carillo’s handling of the trophy ceremony overshadowed Aryna Sabalenka’s historic title defense. Sabalenka defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6(3) to become the first back-to-back singles champion at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 2014, but the spotlight quickly shifted away from her achievement.
Carillo, who was tasked with hosting the presentation, repeatedly interrupted both finalists during their speeches. Anisimova was cut off mid-speech and steered toward thanking the crowd, though she eventually insisted on acknowledging her team. Sabalenka faced similar treatment, as Carillo tried to move on before the champion could thank her coaches and family.
Mary Carillo manages to cut off BOTH women’s finalists’ speeches
byu/Large_banana_hammock intennis
Visibly frustrated, Sabalenka stopped the proceedings, saying, “Wait, wait, wait, I need to say thank you to my team, I’m not done. What do you mean?” The awkward moment drew sharp criticism from fans, who accused Carillo of spoiling what should have been a celebratory occasion.
Donald Trump’s US Open Visit Causes Long Lines, Delays Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner Final
Long lines greeted fans at the US Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, as heightened security for President Donald Trump’s attendance caused major delays. Invited by tournament sponsor Rolex, Trump arrived with senior White House officials and family and sat in the Swiss luxury watchmaker’s suite.
Trump’s presence marked a historic moment. He was the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Open since Bill Clinton in 2000. Security measures were extensive, with U.S. Secret Service agents conducting thorough bag checks and directing all spectators through metal detectors.
As a result, the match, scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, was pushed back nearly 30 minutes. Many fans didn’t reach their seats until play was already underway. By the time the stadium began to fill, Alcaraz had already taken the first set 6-2 and was in control of the match.
US Open Slammed Over Security Breaches Involving Mirra Andreeva and Jannik Sinner
The US Open was criticized for security lapses after two separate incidents involving Mirra Andreeva and Jannik Sinner. During her doubles quarterfinal match, the 18-year-old Andreeva was approached from behind by a spectator during a changeover.
The fan leaned over from the stands to speak briefly to her while she sat next to partner Diana Shnaider in their match against Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens. Though Andreeva laughed it off and confirmed the man only said “hi,” the encounter was captured on video and widely shared on social media, raising serious concerns about player safety. The chair umpire checked on Andreeva immediately after the incident.
this was creepy asf 😭😭😭
mirra is freaked out 😭 pic.twitter.com/F3rj0018zS— Muhammad Hussain 🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@mirrakina) September 2, 2025
Days earlier, security concerns had also arisen when a spectator attempted to unzip World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s bag following his win over Alexander Bublik. As Sinner paused to take photos and hand out a towel, a staff member quickly intervened to prevent any breach.
Coco Gauff vs. Naomi Osaka US Open Fourth-Round Match Sparks Backlash Over Daytime Scheduling
The highly anticipated Round of 16 clash between Grand Slam champions Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka at the 2025 US Open was scheduled for a day session instead of the prime evening slot, drawing immediate criticism from fans. When the order of play for Monday, Sept. 1, was announced, fans expressed outrage on social media, particularly since the match fell on Labor Day, a prime viewing day. In the match, Naomi Osaka defeated Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2, advancing to the next round.
Jannik Sinner Withdrawal Ends Kateřina Siniaková’s Mixed Doubles Run at 2025 US Open
Kateřina Siniaková faced disappointment at the 2025 US Open mixed doubles event after her partner, Jannik Sinner, withdrew due to illness following his retirement in the Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner had originally teamed up with Emma Navarro, who pulled out to compete at the Monterrey Open. This left Siniaková paired with the Italian instead.
The sudden withdrawal forced Siniaková out of the mixed doubles competition entirely, as US Open rules prohibited new pairings after the draw was finalized. She expressed frustration with the process, noting that the tournament could have allowed replacement teams based on combined rankings. She also criticized the two-day format for a Grand Slam event.
Despite the setback, Siniaková bounced back in women’s doubles, partnering with Taylor Townsend to reach the final and secure runner-up honors.
Elena Rybakina’s Press Conference Criticized for Emma Raducanu-Heavy Questions
Elena Rybakina’s US Open press conference drew backlash when reporters focused less on her second-round win and more on her upcoming opponent, Emma Raducanu. Fans online called the one-sided questioning disrespectful, noting that the 2022 Wimbledon champion’s performance was overshadowed ahead of their third-round clash.
Clips from the session quickly spread across social media, sparking outrage among viewers. The attention on Raducanu also carried extra weight given the pair’s recent doubles run at the Citi DC Open, where they reached the semifinals before retiring mid-match due to Raducanu’s struggles in the heat.
Alexandra Eala’s US Open debut turns dramatic in clash with Clara Tauson
The drama unfolded with Tauson serving at 5-4, 15-30 in the final set. After Eala hit a volley near the net, Tauson immediately challenged the play, arguing that the Filipino player’s racket illegally crossed the net before the ball did. Chair umpire Kader Nouni reviewed the play using Hawk-Eye and sided with Eala, awarding her the crucial point. The call was met with boos from the crowd and a heated protest from Tauson, though ITF rules later confirmed the umpire’s decision was correct.
Following the dispute, Eala seized the momentum. She broke Tauson’s serve, held her own, and ultimately clinched a dramatic 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (11) victory in a nail-biting, final-set tiebreak.