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Daniil Medvedev‘s US Open meltdown: Becker Calls for “Professional Help”
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New York – Daniil Medvedev’s latest on-court eruption at the US Open has sparked serious concern within the tennis world, with German legend Boris Becker suggesting the Russian needs professional help
. The volatile display during his five-set defeat to Benjamin Bonzi on Sunday night wasn’t just a loss; it was a spectacle of frustration, accusations, and ultimately, a racquet-smashing finale.
A Match Descends into Chaos
The drama unfolded late in the match,with Bonzi serving for victory. A misplaced photographer briefly wandered onto the court, and chair umpire Greg Allensworth correctly awarded Bonzi a first serve. This seemingly straightforward call ignited a furious Medvedev, who launched a scathing verbal attack on Allensworth.
“Are you a man? Are you a man?” Medvedev reportedly shouted, accusing the umpire of prioritizing a quick exit over fair officiating. “He wants to go home guys. He doesn’t like to be here, he gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
Medvedev then actively solicited the crowd’s disapproval, waving his arms and encouraging them to protest the call, resulting in a six-minute delay before play could resume. While Bonzi initially faltered after the interruption, losing the subsequent set, he ultimately rallied to secure a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 0-6, 6-4 victory.
The loss was punctuated by Medvedev violently smashing his racquet, a familiar sight for those who have followed his often-turbulent career.
A Pattern of Outbursts and Calls for Intervention
Medvedev, while undeniably talented, has a well-documented history of on-court outbursts and clashes with officials. He acknowledged he likely faces a significant fine but remained tight-lipped about the specifics, stating, “I’m getting big fine enough, so if I speak, I’m in big trouble, so I’m not going to speak.”
He also denied deliberately pushing boundaries with the umpire, claiming, “Today I didn’t do anything bad, no.”
However, the incident has prompted a chorus of concern from tennis luminaries. Becker’s blunt assessment on X (formerly Twitter) – “We call this ‘public meltdown’. I think he needs professional help ?!?
” - resonated with many. Brad Gilbert, a former player and coach, concurred, stating that Medvedev’s brain is getting the better of him
, particularly given his recent string of early Grand Slam exits. This marks his third first-round loss at a major tournament this year.
Patrick McEnroe, a former US Davis Cup captain, suggested a more drastic measure: “And Medvedev needs to take the rest of the year off.”
Looking Back: A history of Controversy
This isn’t an isolated incident. Medvedev’s 2019 US Open run was marred by confrontations with fans after he snatched a towel from a ballboy and made an obscene gesture towards the crowd, resulting in a $19,000 fine. At the 2022 Australian Open, he questioned the competence of chair umpire Jaume campistol, famously asking, “Are you stupid?”
.
| Year | Tournament | Incident | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | US open | Confrontation with fans, obscene gesture | $19,000 fine |
| 2022 | Australian Open | Verbal abuse towards umpire Jaume Camp
 |