Daniil Medvedev’s first-round exit from the U.S. Open was anything but ordinary. Facing France’s Benjamin Bonzi, the match spiraled into a five-set thriller marked by controversy, emotional outbursts, and a surreal interruption. What began as a straightforward contest quickly unraveled into one of the most chaotic scenes in recent tournament memory.

The Photographer Incident That Changed Everything

In the third set, with Bonzi serving for the match and leading two sets to none, a photographer unexpectedly stepped onto the court. The intrusion came just after Bonzi missed his first serve, prompting the chair umpire to award him a redo due to outside interference. Medvedev erupted. He stormed across the court, berated the umpire, and shouted into a courtside microphone, accusing officials of trying to end the match prematurely. The crowd, already tense, responded with deafening boos and jeers.

Medvedev’s Emotional Spiral

The delay stretched over six minutes. Medvedev, visibly rattled, used the time to stir the crowd and disrupt Bonzi’s rhythm. He managed to save match point and clawed his way back to win the third set in a tiebreak. Then came a dominant fourth set, where he blanked Bonzi 6-0, seemingly regaining control. But the fifth set told a different story.

Bonzi’s Grit and Medvedev’s Collapse

Despite Medvedev’s momentum, Bonzi found a second wind. He broke Medvedev twice and held his nerve to close out the match 6-4 in the final set. As Bonzi celebrated, Medvedev sat motionless on the court, his face blank with disbelief. Then came the explosion—he smashed his racquet against the bench, the sound echoing through the stadium.

A Brutal Exit for a Former Champion

For a player who once lifted the U.S. Open trophy, this loss was crushing. Medvedev’s frustration wasn’t just about the scoreline—it was about the unraveling of control, the chaos, and the emotional toll of a match that slipped through his fingers. Sitting alone on the court, surrounded by the remnants of his shattered racquet, Medvedev looked like a man undone.

Daniil Medvedev in 2025

Now ranked no.13, Daniil played his last match on the 24^th of August when he capitulated to world no.51 Benjamin Bonzi 6-3 7-5 6-7(5) 0-6 6-4 in the 1^st round of the U.S. Open (draw).

Currently, during this season Daniil owns a 26-18 win-loss record. Daniil Medvedev’s best accomplishment of the year was reaching the final in Halle.