Just In: Daniil Medvedev makes US Open complaint as match interrupted in ‘crazy situation’
Daniil Medvedev’s US Open match faced an unusual interruption on Wednesday, as the umpire was forced to call a let when two small birds landed on the net. At the time, Medvedev’s opponent, American wildcard Sebastian Gorzny, was serving at 1-4 30-15 in the second set.
The No. 7 seed was on top in the rally when chair umpire Timo Janzen suddenly told them to stop. Medvedev was stunned. He placed his hands on his head and walked up to the chair, telling the official: “This is very bad.”
As Medvedev walked back to the baseline, Janzen confirmed that he had called a let. “Due to the birds, we will replay the point,” he told the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd.
The 2021 champion did not complain again during the match and went on to claim a 6-1 6-3 7-5 victory to reach the third round. But Medvedev was happy to air his frustrations during the on-court interview and revealed that his annoyance stemmed from the delay in making the call.
“I saw them [the birds] straight away, and I thought the point would stop straight away, but it didn’t. Then we played for 45 seconds, and the moment I hit the winner, we say stop,” he explained
“I’m like, why? We played for 45 seconds. But it’s okay. I was not happy with the decision, but, well, it is what it is. You cannot do anything with it. But yeah, the situation was pretty crazy. But I love this court, I’m happy to win, I’m happy to stay in US Open, in New York for longer. I love this tournament, I love [the] US.”
The Louis Armstrong Stadium has always held a special place in Medvedev’s heart. Seven years ago, he gave a now-infamous on-court interview after beating Feliciano Lopez in the third round. The Russian’s behaviour earned him a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct, and he was booed as he addressed the crowd.
His response? He fanned himself, soaked it all up, and told the fans that they spurred him on to victory. “Thank you all guys. Because your energy tonight give me the win,” Medvedev told the hostile crowd.
“Because if you were not here guys, I would probably lose the match. Because I was so tired, I was cramping yesterday, it was so tough for me to play. So I want all of you to know, when you sleep tonight, I won because of you!”
By the end of the tournament, the New York crowd were enamoured by Medvedev and cheered him all the way to the final, where he lost to Rafael Nadal. Two years later, he returned to lift the trophy.
That 2021 US Open trophy remains Medvedev’s only Grand Slam title. He’s had a season of mixed results in 2026 but has not dropped a set on his way to the third round here, and said: “I feel like, in life, I’m a happy person. Still, whenever you lose a few first rounds, you feel not good in your everyday life. You win a couple of matches, maybe your life is not great for whatever reason, but you’re like, ‘Oh, everything is good!’
“So I just try to do what I have to do, try to win some matches because it brings me joy. When I lose, I try to find joy outside somewhere, try to do something I like. But in general, just try to be happy in life, and enjoy.
