Daniil Medvedev Smashes Racket in US Open Match After Photographer's Disruption

World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev generated one of the US Open's most dramatic moments following an angry confrontation with the chair umpire and a combustible post-match tirade.

The 29-year-old Russian left onlookers at Louis Armstrong Stadium shaken with a mixture of boos, sarcasm, and a smashed racket that made his match versus Benjamin Bonzi front-page material.

Medvedev Erupts Over Controversial Call

Daniil Medvedev Smashes Racket in US Open Match After Photographer's

As TMZ reported, the fiery argument commenced when a photographer abandoned his spot courtside, momentarily stopping the game. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth sided with Bonzi, calling for a first serve. Medvedev, who was already agitated, angrily objected to the ruling, stating that it was not fair and interrupted play.

"He wants to go home, guys. He doesn't like to be here," he added. "He gets paid by the match, not by the hour," Medvedev yelled.

Rallying the Crowd Against the Umpire

Medvedev took the confrontation further by urging fans to chant insults at the umpire. The disruption continued for a few minutes before play could finally resume, with tension lingering in the air. Although he produced a brief rally, Medvedev was ultimately defeated by Bonzi, his crushing loss only serving to add to his anger.

The Racket-Smashing Finish

After the match was over, Medvedev was visibly frustrated. Sitting on the bench, the Russian seemed to take it out on his racket by pounding it into smithereens in front of an awestruck crowd. It was one of the most talked-about meltdowns during the tournament, easily comparable to other legendary tennis tantrums.

In other news, Fox News reported that the US Open photographer claimed that he is a "victim and totally innocent" after the incident.

Selcuk Acar said that he had already "suffered greatly." He added that if there was camera monitoring the area, it would show that he returned to the official twice and didn't enter.

Medvedev Knows 'Big Fine' is Coming

In his post-match press conference, Medvedev did not hesitate to own up to the repercussions of his actions. He accepted that his actions would result in "a big fine," a fine befitting the US Open's stern policy on on-court behavior. Although fines are commonplace in tennis, the episode exposed doubts about Medvedev's temperament under pressure and whether he can control himself in high-pressure situations.

Reputation for Fiery Moments

This is not the first time that Medvedev has fought with crowds and officials. With a reputation for being intense, he has been known to fight with fans and umpires in the past, so his tantrums are well-established as part of the bigger picture in his playing career.

This latest meltdown might, however, taint his play at this year's US Open, as fans and commentators argue over whether his hot head contributes to his competitive drive or ultimately damages his game.

Daniil Medvedev's evening in the US Open will be talked about more for the drama than the score.