Seldom does a first-round clash of a Grand Slam get as thrilling as it did during the encounter between Daniil Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi on Sunday (August 24). The epic game, played across the entire five sets, went right down to the wire. Ultimately, it is the Frenchman who held his nerve to emerge victorious 6-3, 7-5, 6(7)-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 in a nerve-wracking contest. Apart from the intensity between the two players, it was also a game where there was other forms of drama with Medvedev egging the crowd on in his favour to create an electric atmosphere that also had the game paused in between.
However, with all the tactical nous and fighting spirit, Medvedev still could not get across the line. It capped a disappointing 2025 for him with just a solitary Grand Slam match in the entire year. Perhaps, the stacking up of failures is what triggered the Russian to erupt during the game at various points. After the game, he gifted some of his rackets to the crowd but the one with which he played the match was smashed on the ground repeatedly and on the bench.
Reflecting on his bad form, Medvedev didn't hold back at all and was brutally honest about things.
“I'm playing bad and in important moments, even worse,” Medvedev said of his 2025 Grand Slam season.
“Everything: serve, return, volley, whatever… I just need to play better, and I'm going to try to do it next year.”
INSANE scenes in the Medvedev & Bonzi match at US Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025
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
All this, however, doesn't justify his embarrassing outburst at the umpire midway through the match. Bonzi's first serve crashed into the net and before he could take his second serve, a photographer had entered the court. Umpire Greg Allensworth awarded Bonzi the first serve and this angered Medvedev who went charging at the umpire with a huge verbal outburst.
“Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking?” Medvedev was heard saying to Allensworth.
Then, he cheekily had a glance at the broadcast camera and started uttering more words.
“He wants to go home, guys, he doesn’t like it here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
Soon, the Russian was seen egging the crowd on for support and they obliged, causing a temporary stoppage in the game. This incident along with the post-match theatrics from Medvedev didn't show him in good light, especially in a year where the former no.1 has been far from his best.
