You won’t believe what went down at the US Open! Daniil Medvedev’s fiery on-court antics earned him a hefty fine and a six-minute delay that had everyone talking. From clashing with the umpire to hyping up the crowd, his outburst was unforgettable. But what truly sparked this explosive moment?

Daniil Medvedev, the former US Open champion, found himself at the center of a significant controversy, culminating in a substantial £30,000 ($42k) fine for his conduct during his first-round exit from the prestigious Grand Slam tournament. This incident, marked by an extraordinary outburst on court, captured widespread attention and dominated headlines during the initial days of the competition.

The Russian No.16 seed incurred the bulk of his penalty, a £22,000 fine, specifically for unsportsmanlike behavior. This substantial financial penalty stemmed directly from his heated confrontation with umpire Greg Allensworth and his subsequent actions that incited the crowd, leading to an unexpected six-minute delay in play.

The catalyst for Medvedev’s fury was a contentious decision by Allensworth. During a crucial moment—match point in the third set, after Benjamin Bonzi had missed his first serve—a photographer, who was later banned from the event, walked onto the court. Allensworth controversially awarded Bonzi a first serve, a ruling that Medvedev vehemently disputed, believing it to be an unfair advantage for his opponent.

This particular umpire, Greg Allensworth, is no stranger to controversy himself, having previously drawn criticism from other professional tennis players. Notably, Reilly Opelka, a prominent figure on the ATP Tour, labeled Allensworth the “worst ref on the ATP” earlier this year at the Dallas Open. Opelka’s strong condemnation followed a code violation and a point penalty he received for audible obscenities, leading him to advocate for Allensworth’s suspension.

Capitalizing on the umpire’s contentious reputation, Medvedev audaciously chanted into the camera positioned near the umpire’s chair, repeatedly questioning, “What did Reilly Opelka say? What did Reilly Opelka say?” This direct challenge not only underscored his disagreement with the officiating but also publicly highlighted Allensworth’s past criticisms from fellow players.

Following his verbal confrontation and provocative chants, Medvedev escalated his protest by actively engaging the late-night crowd in the Louis Armstrong Stadium. Waving his arms and encouraging their vocal support, he deliberately caused play to be delayed for a full six minutes, creating a spectacle that further fueled the controversy surrounding his match.

Despite his efforts, which included saving the match point that initially sparked his anger, Medvedev ultimately lost the match to world No.51 Benjamin Bonzi. The significant fine meant that approximately 40% of his earnings from his first-round participation in the final Grand Slam of the season were forfeited. This defeat marked a disappointing year for the 2021 New York champion, as he managed to win only one Grand Slam match across the entire season.