Daniil Medvedev’s temper tantrum at the 2025 US Open drew criticism from many tennis fans, but Andy Roddick was entertained.
“I like it when people lose it,” Roddick, 42, said Monday, August 25, on his “Served” podcast. “I generally tend not to change the channel when people lose it.”
Medvedev, 29, went on a tirade during his first round match against Benjamin Bonzi on Sunday, August 24.
The Russian tennis star delayed the match for roughly six minutes while he argued with chair umpire Greg Allensworth and enticed the rowdy crowd inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.
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Medvedev’s antics began when Bonzi, 29, was rewarded a second attempt at a first serve after a photographer made his way onto the court. Bonzi ultimately won the match in five sets.
The loss was the latest in a stretch of underwhelming play from Medvedev, the former No. 1 ranked player in the world and the 2021 US Open champion.
“He’s got some searching to do,” said Roddick, who won the US Open in 2003. “[He’s] in a place he hasn’t been in seven or eight years.”
Roddick added, “Medvedev has beaten everyone on Earth for a long time, except Bonzi. Can’t beat Bonzi.”
Bonzi also defeated Medvedev in the first round of this year’s Wimbledon tournament in June.
While Roddick mostly laughed off Medvedev’s behavior, not everybody found it so amusing.
Tennis legend Boris Becker, a six-time major champion, reacted to a video of Medvedev smashing his rackets into pieces after the loss to Bonzi.
“We call this ‘public meltdown,’” Becker, 57, posted via X on Monday. “I think he needs professional help?!?”
The sentiment was echoed by ESPN analyst and former tennis pro Patrick McEnroe.
“Medvedev needs to take the rest of the year off,” McEnroe, 59, wrote via X on Monday.
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After the match, Medvedev attempted to explain what led to his on-court outburst.
“I was not upset with the photographer,” Medvedev told reporters. “I was upset with the decision. The delay from the photographer was probably four seconds and a half. I’m not sure it’s enough for a [first] serve.”
Medvedev argued that the US Open fans “did the work” and deflected the idea that he was responsible for provoking them.
“I didn’t do anything,” he said. “The crowd did what they did without me asking them too much, and it was fun to witness.”
