The US Open descended into chaos on Sunday when a photographer came onto the court as Daniil Medvedev faced match point, bringing the first-round match to a standstill and sparking a spectacular meltdown from the Russian.
Former champion Medvedev was eventually knocked out 6-3 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 0-6 6-4 by Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who threatened to walk off the court at one point and called for the Russian to be disqualified.
Serving for the match at 6-3 7-5 5-4, Bonzi was preparing to play his second serve when the photographer stepped onto the court surface.
The disruption led chair umpire Greg Allensworth to put Bonzi back onto his first serve, sparking an astonishing outburst from Medvedev.
Daniil Medvedev was visibly upset after a camera person walked on the court at match point. pic.twitter.com/5wnVf2GSFm
— ESPN (@espn) August 25, 2025
"Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking?" the Russian shouted as he stormed towards the chair.
"He wants to go home, guys, he doesn't like it here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour."
Medvedev also repeatedly shouted, "What did Reilly Opelka say?" at the official in reference to the player's call for Allensworth to be suspended after receiving a code violation at the Dallas Open for confronting a spectator.
The match was halted for about six minutes as jeers, whistles and boos rang out around Louis Armstrong Stadium, with fans refusing to stay quiet so Bonzi could serve.
The USTA said the photographer was escorted from the court by US Open security and that his credentials had been revoked.
Novak Djokovic admitted he was concerned by his physical difficulties after battling past young American Learner Tien in the opening round.
While a 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 scoreline may appear routine, Djokovic looked anything but comfortable in the closing stages of a second set which lasted 82 minutes.
The 38-year-old, his black shirt plastered to him with sweat, saved a set point and a series of gruelling rallies in the tie-break left him gasping for air.
Djokovic also took a medical timeout at the end of the set for treatment to blisters on his foot but ultimately used his experience to set up a second-round clash with another American, Zachary Svajda.
Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton got their respective US Open campaigns off to a confident start, cruising into the second round as they bid to end a 22-year title drought for American men in New York.
Fritz, who last year became the first American man since 2006 to reach the Flushing Meadows final, hit his stride after the first set to subdue wildcard compatriot Emilio Nava 7-5 6-2 6-3, firing off 11 aces.
Runner-up to Jannik Sinner last year, Fritz is hoping he can follow in the footsteps of compatriots Madison Keys and Coco Gauff, who both claimed Grand Slam titles this year.
Since Andy Roddick became the last home male player to lift the US Open trophy in 2003, American women have collected 25 Grand Slam titles - with Venus and Serena Williams accounting for 19 of them.
