Tennis: Medvedev Record Fine!
Tennis: Medvedev Record Fine!
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The former world number one and US Open tennis champion, Daniil Medvedev, has received a substantial fine for his extraordinary behaviour during the first round of this year’s Grand Slam tournament.
Medvedev, who is 29 years old, was knocked out of the tournament by the French player Benjamin Bonzi after an on-court incident following a photographer walking on to the court during his defeat.
He was fined US$42,500 (around €36,472) by the United States Tennis Association, comprising US$30,000 for unsportsmanlike behaviour and US$12,500 for destroying a tennis racket against a chair.
This was the highest fine in the history of the tournament, and means that the Russian will forfeit about 40% of the first-round prize money that he received.
The sequence of events was as follows:
As Medvedev faced match point at 5-4 in the third set, a photographer encroached on to the court between Bonzi's first and second serves.
Medvedev was incensed when the umpire, Greg Allensworth, awarded another first serve to Bonzi.
Medvedev marched over to Allensworth and incited a frenzied New York crowd before shouting at him.
The match was delayed for more than six minutes before the crowd calmed down sufficiently for Bonzi to resume and win the round.
Medvedev then brutally destroyed a racquet before sitting dejectedly on his chair for several minutes until he eventually left the court!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
