Watch: An intruder photographer sparks Medvedev meltdown in US Open

In perhaps the most bizarre incident of the tournament, former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev suffered a humiliating first-round defeat after his frustration boiled over due to a spectator walking onto the court.

The incredible moment of disruption occurred as Medvedev faced match point in the third set, trailing 5-4. A photographer walked onto the playing surface between the first and second serves of Medvedev’s French opponent, Benjamin Bonzi.

INSANE scenes in the Medvedev & Bonzi match at US Open
A cameraman was trying to leave after Bonzi missed his 1st serve.
The umpire gave Bonzi a 1st serve.
Daniil: “Are you a man? Are you a man? why are you shaking? What’s wrong huh? Guys he wants to leave. He gets paid by… pic.twitter.com/nzlqgoWxre

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025

The incident immediately sparked a meltdown from the 2021 champion. Medvedev, 29, was enraged after umpire Greg Allensworth decided Bonzi was entitled to another first serve. The Russian vented his fury, whipping the New York crowd into a frenzy of boos and forcing a tense delay that lasted six minutes and 24 seconds.

Unsurprisingly, Bonzi lost focus amid the chaos and failed to serve out the victory. The match continued for almost two more hours until Bonzi finally secured a remarkable five-set win, with the score standing at 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 0-6, 6-4.

"I just expressed my emotions, my unhappiness with the decision, and then the crowd did what they did without me asking them too much," said Medvedev, who has won just one Grand Slam match this year. "It was fun to witness."

The photographer, who appeared to be trying to find a better camera position, was later escorted out of Louis Armstrong Stadium by security. United States Tennis Association organizers quickly responded to the disruption, telling BBC Sport that the individual's "credential has been revoked for the 2025 US Open."