Remember when Daniil Medvedev sparked a frenzy during his opening match at the 2025 US Open? Facing Benjamin Bonzi, the 2021 US Open champ, lost his cool. At 5-4, 40/30 in the third set, a photographer disrupted Bonzi’s serve. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth awarded Bonzi another first serve, which didn’t sit well with Medvedev. He yelled at the umpire and riled the crowd. The delay dragged on. But despite the chaos, Daniil lost the match, and the whole drama sparked comparisons… and some backup!

It’s been weeks since that wild night on Louis Armstrong Stadium when Medvedev went down to Bonzi in a five-set shocker, and people still can’t stop talking about it! Earlier this week, psychoanalyst Francisca Dauzet, who works with elite athletes, gave Tennis Majors her take on Medvedev’s meltdown.

Dauzet said Daniil Medvedev’s actions weren’t ideal but were part of the match. She warned against harsh social media judgments, saying most people don’t really know him or the full story. She called for more thoughtful commentary, reminding us players aren’t perfect under pressure. When asked if she was defending him, she answered, “This can concern Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic or anyone.”

She meant Medvedev doesn’t stand alone in this. It could have been any top player. She added, “I remember an article after the 2021 US Open, where two French shrinks made two contradictory analyses of Djokovic’s character, neither of them knowing him. Most people who talk there do not seem to know what the high-level athlete lives, and even more so in tennis, this sport which is so particular that it exacerbates emotions to the highest point.”

She could be referring either to Novak Djokovic’s crushing straight-set loss to Daniil Medvedev in the 2021 US Open final or to Nole’s 2020 US Open controversy. In that incident, frustrated Djokovic accidentally struck a lineswoman in the throat with a ball, forcing her to get medical attention and end her participation. Despite his immediate apology, strict rules led to his disqualification. Both moments remain defining and dramatic in Djokovic’s career.

Like Medvedev, as Dauzet pointed out, “We have all seen, in our tennis clubs, some doubles matches of old men spin into anything and end up at the club house with a friendly drink. Everyone will have understood that this sport pushes minds into unexpected or also too well-known entrenchments and stakes.” But Dauzet isn’t alone in making these comparisons.

Daniil Medvedev gets compared to the New Two by an ex-pro

Nicolas Mahut, former tennis player and coach to Benjamin Bonzi, didn’t hold back when discussing Medvedev’s meltdown at the US Open. Known for playing the longest match in history against John Isner at Wimbledon 2010, Mahut wondered aloud why a player of Daniil’s caliber lost control on such a massive stage. He boldly claimed that stars like Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner would never cross that line.

Mahut didn’t spare the officiating either, suggesting the chair umpire mishandled the situation. “I prefer not to talk about Daniil’s behavior in the heat of the moment because I don’t want to regret it later,” he said, “but I can’t imagine Alcaraz or Sinner acting like that for a second.” He also praised Bonzi for staying calm under pressure, calling the hard-fought match a milestone for the Frenchman.

The Russian star was slapped with a hefty $42,500 fine by the U.S. Tennis Association, wiping out around 40% of his $110,000 first-round prize money. $30,000 was for unsportsmanlike conduct, and another $12,500 for smashing his racket. Medvedev seemed to expect the penalty, saying afterward, “I’m getting a big enough fine, so if I speak, I’m in big trouble, so I’m not going to speak.”

But the hot topic may soon cool down, perhaps if Medvedev returns with a bang. He’s set to play at the Hangzhou Open starting Friday, September 19. Can he shake off the drama and reclaim some glory at the Asian Swing? What do you think? Share your thoughts below!