Former U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev was slapped with $42,500 in fines on Wednesday following his dramatic meltdown during a first-round loss to Benjamin Bonzi.
Idman.biz, citing Reuters, reports that the Russian star, seeded 13th, fell 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4, but it was his conduct in the third set that grabbed headlines. Facing match point and a straight-sets loss, Medvedev erupted when a photographer entered the Louis Armstrong Stadium court as Bonzi misfired his first serve. The umpire allowed a second serve, triggering a furious response from Medvedev, who whipped up the crowd against his opponent. After the match, he smashed his racket, prompting tennis legend Boris Becker to suggest he seek professional help for his “public meltdown.”
The U.S. Open fined Medvedev $30,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and $12,500 for racket abuse, despite the player earning $110,000 for his first-round appearance. The incident highlights the intense pressure at Grand Slam events and the consequences of on-court misconduct.
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Idman.biz
