NEW YORK—Andrey Rublev isn’t here to judge. After witnessing longtime friend Daniil Medvedev’s dramatic first-round meltdown at the US Open, the Russian offered his support for the 2021 champion.
“I'm not the good example that can say something, because the way I behave a lot of times is not a good example as well,” Rublev told small group of press on Tuesday.
Medvedev, the No. 13 seed, made headlines during a chaotic five-set loss to France’s Benjamin Bonzi in the early hours of Monday morning. The former world No. 1 erupted at chair umpire Greg Allensworth after a controversial call on match point in the third set—Bonzi was granted a replay of his first serve after a photographer mistakenly walked onto the court between serves.
👉 Read More: Daniil Medvedev incensed with US Open umpire's decision after photographer comes onto court during match point
The delay spiraled into a nearly seven-minute tirade, with Medvedev calling on the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd to boo the umpire. He used their energy to rally back from the brink, winning the third and fourth sets, but ultimately fell 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4.