Daniil Medvedev is serving up some drama at this year’s US Open.
As Medvedev faced match point against opponent Benjamin Bonzi in the first round match Aug. 24, a photographer came onto the court resulting in chair umpire Greg Allensworth allowing Bonzi to take another first serve, a move that led to a tense confrontation.
Indeed, the 2021 U.S. Open champion became so enraged at the umpire—who told the photographer to get off the court before declaring that Bonzi would get another first serve because of the delay—that he approached the chair to express his disapproval.
“He wants to go home, guys,” Medvedev shouted into a microphone behind the chair, per NBC News. “He doesn’t like to be here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
“What did Reilly Opelka say? What did Reilly Opelka say?” the 35-year-old continued, referring his fellow athlete getting penalized by the ATP Tour in February after calling Allensworth the “worst ump on tour.”
Following a six-minute pause, during which the Louis Armstrong Stadium was filled with booing fans, Bonzi resumed his serve and ultimately defeated Medvedev in a dramatic five-set match.
And after his defeat, Medvedev took a seat beside the court and used both hands to smash his racket into the ground and onto the bench repeatedly.
After the match, the tennis star emphasized that he had such a strong reaction because he didn’t believe the interference from the photographer was enough to warrant restarting the point.
“I was not upset with the photographer,” he explained. “I was upset with the decision. The delay from the photographer was probably four seconds and a half. I’m not sure it’s enough for a (first) serve.”
“I’m getting big fine enough, so if I speak I’m in big trouble, so I’m not going to speak,” he continued. “Everyone knows what I talked about when I said Reilly. Reilly got fined big-time for this, so I’m going to get a big fine, too.”
For his part, Bonzi didn’t let his opponent’s outburst stop him from celebrating his big win.
“It was crazy,” the 29-year-old said after the match, per CNN Sports. “I may have got some new fans, but also some new non-fans.”
“The energy was crazy,” he added. “Thanks to all who were booing. Thanks for the energy. I’ve never experienced something like that. We waited maybe five minutes before the match point and it was crazy. There was so much noise.”
To see all the celebs that made an appearance at the 2025 US Open, keep reading…
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Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling & B.J. Novak
Dunder Mifflin for life! The Office stars reunited to take a selfie as they watched the Men’s Singles Final on Sept. 7.
Cardi B
The rapper celebrated her performance at Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ US Open After Party with a side of Chicken Fingers at Chez Margaux in New York City.
Bowen Yang
Live from New York, it’s the US Open! The SNL star raised a spritz to celebrate the women’s semi-finals from the Aperol suite.
Logan Paul & Nina Agdal
The newlyweds enjoyed the match on Sept. 7 from Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ US Open Suite.
Amaya Espinal
The Love Island winner waved to fans as she arrived at the Cadillac Suite inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 4.
Emma Roberts
The American Horror Story actress was sporting a Ralph Lauren ensemble as she arrived at the US Open on Sept. 4.
Jeremy Allen White & Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Yes, chef! The stars of The Bear cheered on the players inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 4.
Dylan Efron
The new Dancing With the Stars cast member visited the Aperol Spritz suite at the US Open wearing the cable knit sweater from the cocktail’s new Tennis Collection.
Brooke Williamson & Bobby Flay
The Top Chef winner and Food Network star packed on the PDA while watching the women’s singles semifinals on Sept. 4.
Alexandra Daddario
The White Lotus alum looked fab on the US Open blue carpet on Sept. 4.
Orlando Bloom
The actor was in attendance to watch the women’s singles semi-final matches on Sept. 4.
Laverne Cox
The actress posed for pics inside the Cadillac Suite at the US Open on Sept. 1.
Owen Wilson & Ben Stiller
The Zoolander co-stars caught up while courtside at the tournament on Sept. 2.
Issa Rae
The Insecure creator and actress swung by the blue carpet during her visit to the US Open on Sept. 2.
Abbott Elementary cast
School’s out! Chris Perfetti, Tyler James Williams, Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter enjoy a field trip to the US Open on Aug. 30.
Brooks Nader
The Love Thy Nader star is spotted inside the Cadillac Suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Aug. 31.
Lindsay Lohan & Bader Shammas
The Freakier Friday star and her husband enjoyed watching the tennis from inside the Cadillac Suite.
Simone Ashley
The Bridgerton actress looked cozy in Polo Ralph Lauren bear sweater as she arrived at the US Open on Sept. 1.
Skyler Gisondo
The Righteous Gemstones star kicked back with a can of Heineken 0.0 from the stands on Aug. 29.
Steve Carell
Cheese! The Office alum kindly posed for a selfie with fans during the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Luciano Darderi match on Aug. 29.
Jeremy Allen White
The Bear star cooked up a smart casual look as he attended the tennis tournament on Labor Day.
Elizabeth Banks
The Hunger Games actress brings her finest tennis Labubu to the tournament on Aug. 31.
Katie Holmes
The Dawson’s Creek alum posed for a pic before taking her seat inside the Cadillac Suite.
Ciara & kids
The singer brought along her kids Future and Sienna to watch the tennis action on Sept. 1.
Anna Wintour & Rami Malek
The Vogue boss and Bohemian Rhapsody actor watch a men’s singles match together on Sept. 1.
Queen Latifah
The actress and rapper was having a ball watching the gameplay on Aug. 28.
Simone Biles
The record-breaking Olympic gymnast was in the crowd to watch Coco Gauff win her second round match on Aug. 28, and proved to be inspirational for her fellow American.
Andrew Scott
The Irish actor looked sharp in a light green ensemble as he sat courtside on Aug. 28.
Lin-Manuel Miranda & Jasmine Cephas Jones
The Hamilton creator reunited with his co-star to watch the world’s best tennis players take their shot at the US Open.
Jonathan van Ness
The Queer Eye star and podcast host brought a pop of color to the US Open on Aug. 28.
