Daniil Medvedev was fined $42,500 at the U.S. Open on Wednesday for unsportsmanlike conduct and racket abuse during his first-round loss to Benjamin Bonzi, after a photographer disrupted play at Louis Armstrong Stadium, triggering a heated meltdown from the former world No. 1.
Former U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev faces hefty penalties after a dramatic outburst in his first-round defeat at Flushing Meadows. Tournament referee Jake Garner fined Medvedev $30,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and $12,500 for racket abuse, slashing more than a third of his $110,000 prize money.
The incident occurred Sunday night at Louis Armstrong Stadium when Medvedev faced Benjamin Bonzi. With Bonzi leading 5-4 in the third set and one point from victory, a photographer with revoked credentials walked along the side of the court just after a fault. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth instructed the photographer to leave and awarded Bonzi another first serve, prompting Medvedev’s protest.
Medvedev argued with the umpire, insulted him over the stadium microphones, and incited the crowd, which responded with boos and chants of “Second serve!” The delay lasted more than six minutes before play resumed.
Medvedev went on to win the third and fourth sets but ultimately lost to Bonzi 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4.
The loss marked Medvedev’s third consecutive first-round exit at a Grand Slam, including his defeat to Bonzi at Wimbledon last month.
