A first-round match at the U.S. Open turned chaotic on Sunday night when a photographer stepped onto the court, forcing a lengthy delay in the showdown between Daniil Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi.
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The photographer, Selcuk Acar, says he is being unfairly portrayed.
Acar, an experienced freelance photojournalist, told the Daily Mail he did nothing wrong and did not deserve to have his credential revoked by tournament officials.
"I'm a victim and totally innocent," Acar said. "This incident has already turned into a lynching, and although I'm innocent, I've suffered greatly. If there's a camera there, if it's monitored, it will show that I returned to the official twice and didn't enter."
The incident unfolded with Bonzi serving for the match in the third set. Play was halted for 6 minutes and 24 seconds while the situation was sorted out. Medvedev went on to win the set, but Bonzi ultimately prevailed in five, 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4.
Acar claimed that a security official told him "the match is stopped," which prompted him to step onto the court. He pointed to his résumé — covering Presidential visits, NATO summits and the FIFA World Cup — as proof that he is not the type to make such an error.
"I'm not a photojournalist that can [make] such a mistake," he said.
The USTA, however, defended its decision.
"The photographer had been instructed to stay in place by U.S. Open security," the organization said in a statement to The New York Post. "The photographer disregarded these instructions and improperly entered the court between serves on match point. The Chair Umpire also instructed the photographer to immediately sit down, and these instructions were also disregarded. The photographer's credential was revoked for the 2025 U.S. Open."
The bizarre interruption sparked anger from Medvedev, who immediately protested to umpire Philip Allensworth and turned to the crowd.
"Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking? What's wrong, huh?" Medvedev shouted at the umpire. He also urged fans to boo, quipping that the official "gets paid by the match, not by the hour."
Bonzi, who held on for the victory after the delay, laughed off the drama in his on-court interview.
"I have no idea. It was crazy," he said. "I may have got some new fans, but also some new non-fans. The energy was wild. Thanks to all the ones who were booing. Thanks for the energy at the end in the fifth set as well. It was a crazy match."
