Tennis star Daniil Medvedev is paying a price for his explosive behavior at the 2025 US Open. The 29-year-old athlete got hit with a hefty $30,000 fine for acting unsportsmanlike. On top of that, he owes another $12,500 for smashing his racket. These penalties are standard under Grand Slam rules, according to reports from The Athletic.
Medvedev’s big moment of anger happened during his first-round match on Monday, August 25. He was facing off against French tennis player Benjamin Bonzi. The drama unfolded in the third set, stirring up a major fuss.
Things got heated when Bonzi, also 29, was given a second chance at a first serve. This unusual call came after a photographer, later named Selcuk Acar, walked onto the court. Acar thought the match was almost over, and his sudden appearance messed up a crucial match point on Bonzi’s serve.
The umpire, Greg Allensworth, made the decision to grant Bonzi the extra serve. Medvedev lost his cool right then and there. He stormed toward the umpire’s chair in Louis Armstrong Stadium, clearly furious. He challenged Allensworth, asking him, "Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you trembling?"
Medvedev then grabbed a microphone near the umpire’s seat. He turned to the loud New York crowd and declared, "He wants to go home, guys. He doesn’t like it here. He gets paid per match, not per hour." The Russian star seemed to enjoy revving up the fans. His outburst brought the match to a halt for about six minutes.
When the game finally started again, Medvedev managed to pull himself together and win the third set. But it wasn’t enough. Bonzi ultimately won the match in five sets, with scores of 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4. To cap off the dramatic day, Medvedev smashed several of his rackets right on the court after the loss.
After the match, Medvedev explained his side to reporters. "The photographer didn’t bother me," he stated. "The decision bothered me. The photographer’s delay was probably four and a half seconds. I’m not sure that’s enough for a first serve." He also brushed off any blame for the crowd’s reaction. "They did the work," he said. "I didn’t do anything. The crowd did what they did without me asking them too much. It was fun to watch."
Bonzi saw things differently. He accused Medvedev of pouring "more fuel to the fire." Talking to reporters, Bonzi said, "It was crazy. Maybe I gained some new fans. But I also lost some. It was crazy. A wild scene."
Medvedev’s behavior caught the attention of many in the tennis world, not all of it positive. Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker, 57, shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter). He posted, "We call this a ‘public meltdown’. Do I think he needs professional help?!?"
