In Chaotic Scenes, Bonzi Ends Medvedev’s Troubled Year at the Grand Slams

Daniil Medvedev is unlikely to warmly remember the 2025 Grand Slam season
The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings finished his year at the majors with just one win, a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 loss to Benjamin Bonzi on Sunday night at the US Open. After taking the third set amid chaos, Medvedev twice gave up a break in the fifth set. After shaking hands with Bonzi, he tossed six racquets from his bag to spectators in the stands.
Despite a brave recovery and some superb shotmaking, Medvedev had an error-filled performance at Louis Armstrong Stadium, committing 64 unforced errors in total. Bonzi won his second consecutive Grand Slam over Medvedev, following his four-set victory at Wimbledon in late June.
Medvedev, a 20-time tour-level champion, began his Grand Slam year by defeating then-World No. 418 Kasidit Samrej at the Australian Open after trailing two sets to one. He subsequently lost in five sets to Learner Tien in Melbourne's second round, followed by five sets to Cameron Norrie at Roland Garros and Bonzi at Wimbledon and now the US Open.
"I'm playing bad, and in important moments, even worse," Medvedev stated of his 2025 Grand Slam season. "Serve, return, volley, whatever…" I just need to improve my game, and I plan to do so next year.
Benjamin Bonzi
Benjamin Bonzi defeated Daniil Medvedev on Sunday at the US Open. Photo credit: Elsa/Getty Images
The meeting between Medvedev and Bonzi in New York on Sunday night was full of drama. Bonzi appeared to be on his way to a comfortable upset as he stood up to serve on match point at 5-4, 40/30 in the third set, but an unexpected interruption led off frantic scenes at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The chaos began when a photographer dashed from the court entrance to the court surface inside the side court signage to take his place in the photographers' pit after Bonzi missed his first serve on match point. As a result of the ruckus, umpire Greg Allensworth granted the Frenchman another first serve. Medvedev dashed towards the umpire's chair to protest, and soon after encouraged the fans to make as much noise as they could.
Sustained crowd noise caused a five-minute delay in play. As Bonzi strolled at the back of the court, Medvedev became anxious that things had spiralled out of hand and signalled for an end to the commotion. When play resumed, a Bonzi error elicited a massive roar from the crowd. When Medvedev won a baseline exchange to return to deuce, supporters exploded.
Massive cheers erupted as Medvedev won - and converted - a break point to tie at 5-5. The former US Open champion, who previously considered himself a villain to the New York crowd, created a heart symbol with his hands to express his gratitude for their support. After winning the set in a tiebreaker, he repeated the gesture.
Medvedev dominated the fourth set and broke in the first game of the fifth. However, he returned the break instantly. He also returned a break at 3-3. Despite serving below full strength due to a leg ailment, Bonzi fought off five break points to hold for 4-3 before breaking Medvedev in the final game to record a thrilling triumph for new coach Nicolas Mahut.
"It's a very important win, my first Grand Slam with Nico, and our first week together," Bonzi stated on the court after the win. "I gave my best on the court, and I won today.
"I'm quite proud of myself, the game scenario, and the third-quarter match point. Daniil then played brilliantly in the fourth, capitalising on every opportunity. This match is very insane. For me, it's my greatest victory ever. It's incredibly unique to do it here."
Medvedev achieved modest success outside of the majors in 2025, reaching the ATP Masters 1000 semi-finals at Indian Wells and the ATP 500 championship match in Halle. However, the 29-year-old's performance at the Slams represents a significant dropoff for a player who has been one of the most consistent performers at that level in recent years: Medvedev reached at least one Grand Slam final per year from 2021-2024.
The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings finished his year at the majors with just one win, a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 loss to Benjamin Bonzi on Sunday night at the US Open. After taking the third set amid chaos, Medvedev twice gave up a break in the fifth set. After shaking hands with Bonzi, he tossed six racquets from his bag to spectators in the stands.
Despite a brave recovery and some superb shotmaking, Medvedev had an error-filled performance at Louis Armstrong Stadium, committing 64 unforced errors in total. Bonzi won his second consecutive Grand Slam over Medvedev, following his four-set victory at Wimbledon in late June.
Medvedev, a 20-time tour-level champion, began his Grand Slam year by defeating then-World No. 418 Kasidit Samrej at the Australian Open after trailing two sets to one. He subsequently lost in five sets to Learner Tien in Melbourne's second round, followed by five sets to Cameron Norrie at Roland Garros and Bonzi at Wimbledon and now the US Open.
"I'm playing bad, and in important moments, even worse," Medvedev stated of his 2025 Grand Slam season. "Serve, return, volley, whatever…" I just need to improve my game, and I plan to do so next year.
Benjamin Bonzi
Benjamin Bonzi defeated Daniil Medvedev on Sunday at the US Open. Photo credit: Elsa/Getty Images
The meeting between Medvedev and Bonzi in New York on Sunday night was full of drama. Bonzi appeared to be on his way to a comfortable upset as he stood up to serve on match point at 5-4, 40/30 in the third set, but an unexpected interruption led off frantic scenes at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The chaos began when a photographer dashed from the court entrance to the court surface inside the side court signage to take his place in the photographers' pit after Bonzi missed his first serve on match point. As a result of the ruckus, umpire Greg Allensworth granted the Frenchman another first serve. Medvedev dashed towards the umpire's chair to protest, and soon after encouraged the fans to make as much noise as they could.
Sustained crowd noise caused a five-minute delay in play. As Bonzi strolled at the back of the court, Medvedev became anxious that things had spiralled out of hand and signalled for an end to the commotion. When play resumed, a Bonzi error elicited a massive roar from the crowd. When Medvedev won a baseline exchange to return to deuce, supporters exploded.
Massive cheers erupted as Medvedev won - and converted - a break point to tie at 5-5. The former US Open champion, who previously considered himself a villain to the New York crowd, created a heart symbol with his hands to express his gratitude for their support. After winning the set in a tiebreaker, he repeated the gesture.
Medvedev dominated the fourth set and broke in the first game of the fifth. However, he returned the break instantly. He also returned a break at 3-3. Despite serving below full strength due to a leg ailment, Bonzi fought off five break points to hold for 4-3 before breaking Medvedev in the final game to record a thrilling triumph for new coach Nicolas Mahut.
"It's a very important win, my first Grand Slam with Nico, and our first week together," Bonzi stated on the court after the win. "I gave my best on the court, and I won today.
"I'm quite proud of myself, the game scenario, and the third-quarter match point. Daniil then played brilliantly in the fourth, capitalising on every opportunity. This match is very insane. For me, it's my greatest victory ever. It's incredibly unique to do it here."
Medvedev achieved modest success outside of the majors in 2025, reaching the ATP Masters 1000 semi-finals at Indian Wells and the ATP 500 championship match in Halle. However, the 29-year-old's performance at the Slams represents a significant dropoff for a player who has been one of the most consistent performers at that level in recent years: Medvedev reached at least one Grand Slam final per year from 2021-2024.