On the US Open’s first Sunday start instead of Monday, the story of the night was about a controversial umpire call caused by a cameraman.
The night match between 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and France’s Benjamin Bonzi was delayed more than six minutes in the third set. Bonzi was serving for the match and missed his first serve when a cameraman walked onto the court.
Umpire Greg Allensworth told the cameraman to “get off the court,” then awarded Bonzi first serve due to the delay caused by outside interference. Boos started to rain down from the audience at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York, and Medvedev, who is known as one of the most expressive tennis pros, encouraged the fans to show their disapproval.
Medvedev approached the umpire to show his displeasure with the call, even shouting at the camera, “Reilly Opelka was right!” a reference to the American pro’s request to have Allensworth suspended back in February. The incident at the Dallas Open was also due to external interference at a match.
The crowd would continue to roar even after Medvedev returned to the baseline, chanting “second serve” even as Allensworth asked for them to quiet down. Bonzi would eventually serve, losing match point and two consecutive sets before taking the match in the fifth set.
The US Tennis Association said the photographer had his media credentials for the US Open revoked because of the incident.
After the match, Bonzi called it his “best victory ever,” but he also believes Medvedev crossed the line.
“The rule is the rule. The guy went on the court between two serves. I mean, it’s not my call to say first serve. And I think yes, Daniil started it, and he put oil on the fire. He went with the crowd crazy. He went with them.”
Medvedev, who has lost in the first round in three of the four Grand Slams this year, said his gripe was not against the photographer, but the call made by Allensworth.
“I was not upset with the photographer. I was upset with the decision,” Medvedev said.
Asked whether he expects a fine for his behavior, Medvedev said he has “no idea,” but that they fine players like him more than others.
“[Nick] Kyrgios, me, Alexander Bublik. Who else? Reilly. Even if Reilly is a nice guy, and they fine him just because they don’t like him,” Medvedev said.
