Daniil Medvedev’s disappointing Grand Slam season ended with the 13th seed losing in the first round of a major for the third time in 2025 at the US Open.
He was beaten in five sets in New York by Benjamin Bonzi, who also handed Medvedev his first-round exit at Wimbledon. Bonzi needed five sets to beat the former US Open winner at Flushing Meadows, triumphing 6-3 7-5 6-7(5) 0-6 6-4 on Louis Armstrong court in front of a crowd who more than played their part in the match.
The Frenchman beat Medvedev 7-6(2) 3-6 7-6(3) 6-2 at Wimbledon, but his win at the US Open was arguably more impressive, given the way the match unfolded.
While much will be made of Medvedev’s Grand Slam form – a second-round exit in Australia adding to his three first-round exits this season – the match will be remembered for a controversial moment in the third set, with Bonzi having a match point to secure a straight-sets win.
Bonzi was serving for the match at 5-4 40-30 in the third set, but a photographer ran onto the court and into the photographer’s pit after Bonzi missed his first serve.
Medvedev ‘not upset with photographer’ in ‘fun’ umpire controversy
Video credit: SNTV
Umpire Greg Allensworth awarded the Frenchman another first serve, causing an angry Medvedev to remonstrate, before he whipped the crowd into action.
A five-minute delay ensued, before Medvedev tried his best to row back and quieten the crowd – even giving them a heart symbol for their efforts.
While the controversial moment seemed to turn the match, with Medvedev breaking for 5-5 before going on to take the set and then the fourth, Bonzi eventually came through an error-strewn fifth set, despite twice being a break down.
When asked how he would summarise the match in his on court interview, Bonzi said: “I have no idea. It was crazy.
“I may have got some new fans… the energy was wild. Match point in the third, then crazy scenario, then exhausted in the fourth, and give all I have in the fifth.
“I never experienced something like that.”
Bonzi might feel vindicated by a win that he called “his best victory ever” in his press conference, but he was clear that the antics in the third set at match point by his opponent left much to be desired.
“It was so noisy, so I never thought to wait so long before a point and between points. Well, it was a situation, very weird, and then obviously it’s tough to, like, refocus on the game, to play.
“And even during the points it was very noisy, so it was tough to hear the ball, the strikes and everything,” he said.
Benjamin Bonzi of France celebrates after defeating Daniil Medvedev in five sets during their Men’s Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2025 US Open
Image credit: Getty Images
“I mean, the rule is the rule. The guy went on the court between two serves. I mean, it’s not my call to say first serve. And I think, yes, Daniil started it, and he put oil on the fire.
“He went with the crowd, crazy. He went with them. Honestly, I never saw that… maybe in a football stadium, but not in tennis.”
Medvedev’s struggles continue
For Medvedev, another early Grand Slam defeat has left the former champion searching for answers. He lost to Learner Tien in five sets in the second round of the Australian Open, to Cameron Norrie in the first round of the French Open and then to Bonzi at both Wimbledon and the US Open.
He also lost in the first round in Cincinnati, and has made it to just one semi-final all season.
“I’m playing bad and in important moments, even worse. Everything. Everything. Serve, return, volley, whatever. Just need to play better, and I’m going to try to do it next year,” Medvedev said in his press conference.
He played down the incident in the third set – seemingly wary of receiving another fine, after his infamous moments in Australia earlier this season.
Daniil Medvedev breaks his racket after losing in five sets to Benjamin Bonzi of France during their Men’s Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2025 US Open
Image credit: Getty Images
“Delay from the photographer was probably four seconds and a half. I’m not sure it’s enough for a second serve,” he said.
“What I say and what I do, in my head, I want to do worse, and I cannot because there are rules, because we’re on [a] tennis court.
“So I just expressed my emotions, my unhappiness with the decision, and then the crowd did what they did without me asking them too much, and it was fun to witness.
“Heart emojis, I love them. Love New York. They did the work. I didn’t do anything. They pushed me to come back into the match.”
While he indicated he would be back on tour next year, the 29-year-old also spoke of retirement.
“Honestly, while living it, I was like, you know what, it could be fun maybe to finish my career with one match at the US Open…”
However, he immediately rowed back, adding that the end of his career was “not today,” but it remains to be seen if he can rediscover his form that made him such a threat in the Grand Slams over the past few seasons.
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