NEW YORK — Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has been hit with a substantial fine of $14,000 (£11,100) by the tournament referee's office for his conduct during an extraordinary and ill-tempered first-round exit at the 2024 US Open. The world No. 5 was penalized for an audible obscenity and for unsportsmanlike conduct after a spectacular mid-match meltdown directed at the chair umpire and a tournament official.
The incident occurred during Medvedev's shocking 6-3, 7-6(7), 3-6, 3-6, 4-6 loss to 87th-ranked Australian qualifier Max Purcell on Court 17, a surprising venue for a player of his stature. The 2021 champion's frustration boiled over in the fourth set, leading to a series of code violations and a fiery exchange that became the major talking point of the tournament's early rounds.
The Flashpoint: A Disputed Call and a Tirade
The catalyst for Medvedev's outburst was a disputed point at 4-4 in the fourth set. After a long rally, Medvedev believed a Purcell shot had landed long and immediately stopped playing, only for the ball to be called good. Chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore confirmed the call, awarding the point to Purcell. Medvedev, incensed, launched into a prolonged argument, insisting a tournament supervisor should be called to review the mark.
When supervisor Gerry Armstrong arrived, he upheld the original call, stating there was no clear evidence to overturn it. This sent Medvedev into a rage. He began yelling at Armstrong, accusing officials of being incompetent and biased. At one point, he sarcastically asked, "Are you mad? Are you stupid? Can you tell me?" His tirade continued despite repeated warnings from Asderaki-Moore.
The Code Violations and the Hefty Penalty
The umpire issued Medvedev a code violation for an audible obscenity, followed swiftly by a point penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. This sequence of events effectively handed a crucial game to Purcell, further tilting the momentum in the Australian's favor. The Grand Slam rules committee later confirmed the fines:
- $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct
- $4,000 for the audible obscenity
The total fine of $14,000 is one of the largest handed to a player in the first week of a major tournament in recent years. In a post-match press conference, a calmer but still visibly frustrated Medvedev admitted his behavior was unacceptable but defended his initial frustration with the call. "I probably should have been better. But I wanted to win... I lost my concentration after that," he stated.
A Pattern of On-Court Controversy
This is not the first time Medvedev's fiery temperament has landed him in hot water. Throughout his career, the Russian has been known for his combustible on-court personality, often engaging in heated arguments with officials and even fans. His history includes:
- A famous 2019 US Open incident where he sarcastically thanked a booing crowd.
- Multiple fines for racket abuse and verbal misconduct at other tournaments.
Tennis analysts were divided on the incident. Some, like former player Brad Gilbert, argued that while the call was close, a player of Medvedev's experience must maintain composure. Others suggested the pressure of being a former champion and the unexpected difficulty of his opponent contributed to the explosion. Purcell, for his part, handled the drama with poise, simply focusing on his game plan amidst the chaos.
The Aftermath and Looking Ahead
The fine is a financial footnote for a top-earning player like Medvedev, but the early exit represents a significant blow to his ranking and his confidence heading into the end of the season. As the No. 3 seed, he was considered a strong contender to challenge Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz for the title.
The tournament referee's statement emphasized that all players are held to the same standards of conduct, regardless of their ranking or past achievements. "The rules of the ITF Grand Slam rulebook were applied consistently in this case," a spokesperson said.
For Medvedev, the focus now shifts to regrouping after a disappointing North American hardcourt swing. The incident serves as another stark reminder of the fine line between passionate competition and unacceptable conduct in the high-stakes world of professional tennis. While his talent is undeniable, this latest meltdown will once again fuel the debate about his ability to control his emotions when matches are on the line.
In his final comments to the media, Medvedev struck a conciliatory but weary tone, "It's not the first time and probably not the last, but I will try to learn from it. It's not easy." The tennis world will be watching closely to see if that learning translates into a cooler head during his next competitive test.