Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has been hit with a substantial $42,500 fine following his extraordinary meltdown during a first-round defeat at the tournament. The 29-year-old Russian was knocked out by France's Benjamin Bonzi in a chaotic five-set encounter that descended into controversy.
The United States Tennis Association imposed the hefty penalty after Medvedev's loss of control on Sunday. He was docked $30,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and another $12,500 for destroying his racket against a chair.
Photographer incident sparks chaos
The drama erupted when a photographer walked onto the court during match point in the third set. As Medvedev faced defeat at 5-4, the photographer encroached between Bonzi's first and second serves, infuriating the former world number one.
Umpire Greg Allensworth awarded Bonzi another first serve following the bizarre interruption. Medvedev marched over to the official and shouted at him, inciting the frenzied New York crowd in the process.
Match delayed as tensions boil over
The confrontation delayed the match for more than six minutes before the crowd calmed sufficiently for play to resume. Bonzi was unable to serve out the match in the hostile atmosphere, allowing Medvedev to force a deciding fifth set.
After eventually losing 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4, Medvedev brutally smashed his racket before sitting dejectedly on his chair for several minutes. The fine represents approximately 40% of the $110,000 first-round prize money he received.
Player anticipated heavy punishment
Medvedev acknowledged he was prepared for significant consequences after the incident. "I'm getting a big enough fine, so if I speak, I'm in big trouble, so I'm not going to speak," he said.
The photographer involved, Seljuk Acar, has claimed he was instructed by security to enter the court, according to the Daily Mail. The defeat marked Medvedev's third consecutive Grand Slam first-round exit, highlighting his recent struggles at tennis's biggest tournaments.
Sources used: "BBC", "Independent", "Daily Mail" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
