Medvedev beaten after meltdown over photographer entering court

After a photographer walked onto the court during his first-round defeat by Benjamin Bonzi, Daniil Medvedev, who was devastated, was forced to withdraw from the US Open.

What happened on the 2021 champion’s way to another humiliating defeat was perhaps the most incredible thing Medvedev has ever produced at Flushing Meadows.

The cameraman entered the third set to face his French opponent Bonzi’s first and second serve as the Russian faced match point at 5-4.

The course of the match was shattered by the incident and Medvedev’s response.

After umpire Greg Allensworth decided Bonzi could have another first serve, Medvedev, 29, slammed into the New York crowd in a fit of fury, causing a six-minute, 24 second delay.

As boos poured down and Bonzi was unable to claim victory, Bonzi presumably lost concentration.

Medvedev, who has only won one Grand Slam this year, said, “I just expressed my emotions and my unhappiness with the decision,” and the crowd followed suit.

“It was entertaining to witness.”

Security later led the photographer out of Louis Armstrong Stadium after he appeared to be trying to find a spot in the long-lens pit at the side of the court.

Medvedev’s recent struggles appeared to continue with a straightforward defeat when an inspiring Bonzi served for the match in the third set.

Then the mood of the match, and the entire night, instantly changed as a result of the photographer’s error.

Because he thought the interference was excessive, Allensworth immediately yelled at the defendant to leave the court and gave Bonzi another first serve.

Medvedev, who had been restrained at the time, became furious with Allensworth, who had whipped the crowd with his hands as he made a protestant head straight to the chair of the umpire.

By now, the crowd was ecstatic to support Medvedev, and Louis Armstrong Stadium rang with a “second serve” chant.

Before eventually trying to quieten the boisterous crowd, Medvedev continued to lead the ring.

Bonzi remarked to Allensworth that Medvedev should be punished for “causing this” during the tense delay.

Bonzi was interrupted by more boos before finally resuming his duties after missing his first serve.

When he hit the backhand into the net, he lost the match point and the crowd roared back.

“There was a wild energy. It was a bizarre circumstance, Bonzi claimed.

Medvedev has previously played a central role in an entertaining New Yorker movie.

As he wound up the American fans in the process of making it to the 2019 final, he assumed the role of pantomime villain.

He was mocked for provoking the crowd with his provocative post-game celebrations and interviews before winning with a heroic performance in Rafael Nadal’s final set defeat.

After defeating Novak Djokovic to win his first major title, Medvedev received praise and a comedic fall to the court inspired by a computer game.

In a late-night fight against Australia’s Chris O’Connell in 2023, he and some supporters engaged in a heated argument with some supporters, but Medvedev made sure the audience was watching in an effort to end the match.

In an enlightening interview with BBC Sport, Medvedev described his outbursts as “honking a car horn,” describing them as “honking a car horn.”

However, his disappointment at losing the third consecutive Grand Slam round was concerning.

Medvedev disregarded a racquet by repeatedly smashing it against the metal bench holding his racquet bag rather than making a quick exit.

The six-time Grand Slam champion began his on-court interview with Bonzi while he broke down in tears and sat still.

Medvedev, who is projected to eventually fall out of the top 20, stated that during the match he wanted to “finish his career.”