Medvedev fined US$42,500 for US Open antics

Medvedev fined US$42,500 for US Open antics

The Russian’s US$110,000 appearance fee was reduced by a US$30,000 misconduct fine and a US$12,500 racket abuse penalty.

Daniil Medvedev
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev smashed his racket after losing the singles first-round match against France’s Benjamin Bonzi. (AFP pic)
NEW YORK:
Former champion Daniil Medvedev was fined a total of US$42,500 by the US Open on Wednesday for his spectacular meltdown during a loss to Benjamin Bonzi at the start of the week.

Medvedev lost 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 on Sunday but it was his behaviour in the third set that dominated the headlines, when the 2021 champion launched a tirade against the umpire and whipped up jeering fans who stopped his opponent from serving.

The 13th seed was facing match point and a straight-sets loss when a photographer entered the Louis Armstrong Stadium court just as Frenchman Bonzi misfired his first serve.

The official then allowed Bonzi another first serve because of the unauthorised incursion, sparking wild scenes as Medvedev raged at the official.

Medvedev smashed his racket after the match concluded, prompting six-times Grand Slam champion Boris Becker to say that the Russian needed to seek professional help in the wake of his “public meltdown”.

While Medvedev collected US$110,000 for his first-round appearance, he coughed up fines of US$30,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and US$12,500 for abusing his racket, the US Open said in a document listing on-site offences.

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