**Tennis Photographer Claims Innocence After U.S. Open Incident**
A photographer involved in a controversial incident during the 2025 U.S. Open has declared himself a “victim and totally innocent” after his tournament credentials were revoked. Selcuk Acar, a freelance photojournalist, spoke to the media following a dramatic moment that led to tennis star Daniil Medvedev’s outburst on the court.
The incident unfolded during the first round match between Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi at Louis Armstrong Stadium. In the third set, Acar stepped onto the court while Bonzi was serving, causing a disruption. Although Bonzi missed his first serve, the match was paused as Acar entered the court, leading to a controversial decision by chair umpire Greg Allensworth to allow Bonzi another first serve, which was crucial as it was match point against the 13th-seeded Medvedev.
Medvedev reacted angrily to the situation, engaging in a heated exchange with Allensworth that resulted in a nearly seven-minute delay. “This incident has already turned into a lynching, and although I’m innocent, I’ve suffered greatly,” Acar stated, emphasizing that he had returned to the official twice before entering the court. He claimed a security official had informed him that the match was paused before he stepped onto the court.
Despite Acar’s assertions of innocence, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) revoked his credentials, stating that he had disregarded instructions to remain in place and improperly entered the court during a critical moment. “The photographer’s credential was revoked for the 2025 US Open,” the USTA confirmed.
Medvedev, visibly frustrated, attempted to rally the crowd against the chair umpire, urging them to boo. “He wants to go home, guys,” Medvedev exclaimed, criticizing the umpire’s decision. After the match, Medvedev clarified that his frustration was directed at the decision to allow Bonzi a re-do on his serve rather than at Acar himself, noting that the delay caused by the photographer was minimal.
Bonzi, however, felt that Medvedev’s behavior crossed a line, adding to the tension of the match.
As the fallout from this incident continues, it raises questions about the responsibilities of photographers in high-stakes sporting events and the impact of such disruptions on players’ performances.
**FAQ**
*What happened during the U.S. Open incident involving the photographer?*
During a match between Daniil Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi, photographer Selcuk Acar entered the court while Bonzi was serving, leading to a controversial decision to allow Bonzi another serve, which upset Medvedev and resulted in a lengthy delay.
