Daniil Medvedev’s US Open campaign ended in an on-court outburst after he crashed out of the tournament in the first round.
In his opening match at Flushing Meadows, Medvedev lost to Benjamin Bonzi in a five-setter, marking yet another early exit at a Grand Slam in 2025.
The clash with Bonzi was filled with controversy and involved an incident where a photographer prematurely entered the court, which left the Russian furious.
After suffering defeat to the Frenchman, Medvedev’s frustration boiled over, and he smashed his racket several times on his bench in front of a packed crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Daniil Medvedev reflects on his outburst at the US Open
Recalling the moment in an interview with ATP Tour, the former world number one said: “It was just a little bit of desperation, and at the same time I was like, ‘The fans are probably going to love it’.
“There was actually one racket left in the bag, and I didn’t know it. I was for sure disappointed with the result, disappointed with the way I felt on the court, with the way I acted on the court.
“I wanted to let out the frustration, probably not on the court, but I was cramping, so I couldn’t stand up.
“It was for sure an act of desperation and a sign I needed a new start,” said Medvedev, who parted ways with longtime coach Gilles Cervara after the US Open and appointed Thomas Johansson.
Daniil Medvedev’s results since his US Open disappointment
Since his disappointment in New York, Medvedev has shown promising signs under the wing of Johansson.
He reached the quarterfinals of the Hangzhou Open and enjoyed a strong campaign at the China Open.
In Beijing, Medvedev beat Cam Norrie and world number three Alexander Zverev en route to his first semifinal since the Halle Open.
There, he ultimately fell to US teenager Learner Tien via a walkover, despite serving for the match in the second set.
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