The 2025 US Open in New York has kicked off with a bang, but not just because of the tennis on display. Instead, it’s the off-court drama and on-court confrontations that have set the tone for a week that fans and pundits alike won’t soon forget. From fiery arguments at the net to pointed accusations and hefty fines, the world’s top tennis stars have shown that the pressure of the season’s final Grand Slam is boiling over.
The first week alone has featured a string of incidents that have left the tennis world buzzing. Daniil Medvedev, always one to wear his emotions on his sleeve, was fined a whopping $42,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct during his late-night duel with Benjamin Bonzi. Medvedev’s outburst wasn’t limited to the umpire—he also managed to whip the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd into a six-minute protest as Bonzi held match point. In the end, Medvedev’s comeback bid fell short, and he exited in five unforgettable sets, but not before making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, found herself in hot water after her second-round loss to Taylor Townsend. The postmatch handshake turned sour when Ostapenko accused Townsend of having “no class and no education.” The confrontation drew immediate scrutiny, especially as Ostapenko later took to social media to apologize, clarifying that she meant to criticize Townsend’s tennis etiquette, not her character. Ostapenko’s frustration stemmed from perceived breaches of unwritten tennis rules—Townsend didn’t apologize after a let cord and started the warmup with volleys instead of groundstrokes, neither of which is actually required by the rulebook.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, another high-profile casualty of the tournament’s opening acts, was left fuming after his defeat at the hands of Germany’s Daniel Altmaier. The Greek star took exception to Altmaier’s use of the underarm serve, a legal but sometimes controversial tactic. During the postmatch handshake, Tsitsipas confronted Altmaier, saying, “Next time, don’t wonder why I hit you, OK? No, I’m just saying if you serve underarm…” But Altmaier was having none of it, turning his back and refusing to engage. Reflecting on the incident later, Altmaier shrugged it off: “Even if I would have lost, I would not enter discussions because it’s just like heat of the moment. You need to cool down; let’s see if he reacts to it or he sticks to his opinion while cooling down on an exercise bike in the player gym late at night.”
It’s not just these headline-grabbing moments that have defined the week. The US Open, positioned at the tail end of a grueling tennis calendar, is notorious for ratcheting up the tension. Players are tired, their nerves frayed, and the stakes couldn’t be higher—it’s the last major chance to salvage a season or make a statement on the biggest stage.
Jessica Pegula, who has managed to steer clear of the drama herself, summed it up with a laugh: “Lots of drama. I don’t know. My matches have been pretty no drama, so I’m not really sure what’s going on with everybody else. I don’t know. It’s just that New York City tends to bring out just a lot of drama, I guess.”
One factor that keeps coming up is the unique energy of New York and its fans. “I feel like the crowds, they’re pretty crazy. They kind of get everyone riled up. Everyone is tense. It’s the last slam of the season. Your last chance to go deep at a slam for a while. I think people maybe just get stressed out, and you’re out there competing and fighting and trying to win. I think it just gets emotional. Adrenaline starts flowing,” Pegula explained.
Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, echoed those sentiments. “I think it’s, (a) end of the year; (b) we’re in New York, and the fans here – I love them – but [if] you’re on the wrong side of things, can … They’re into the match. They’re passionate tennis fans. They know what’s going on, and they’re used to other events I think, like major events, happening in the city that aren’t tennis.” Gauff also pointed out that the drama seems amplified at the US Open because of the city’s spotlight and the reach of social media: “To be honest, with some of the drama, I feel like it happens frequently on tour, but because it’s here, it gets more social media clicks. Some of the players, these are recurring things that us in the tennis world, it’s not surprising. It’s like: ‘OK, whatever.’ But because it’s here in New York and maybe not as many tennis fans or things like that, it gets blown up on social media.”
Not everyone agrees that the city is to blame. Naomi Osaka, who grew up in New York, sees things differently: “Hey, don’t blame New York!” she quipped, adding that the city brings out her best behavior. Osaka acknowledged the tension but suggested that some players, like Medvedev, have always had a flair for the dramatic: “Not calling everyone out name by name, but Medvedev’s had a couple of moments here that are kind of iconic. I feel like the people here might enjoy a show, but I think people everywhere enjoy a show.”
It’s not just the players who have weighed in. Brad Gilbert, a former player and now an ESPN analyst, emphasized the importance of sportsmanship: “You’ve got to win with class and lose with dignity.” Chris Evert, an 18-time major winner, recalled, “I never had a bad moment at the net with anyone.” But as this week proved, not everyone finds it so easy to keep their cool in the heat of battle.
The handshake, that simple gesture of sportsmanship, has become a flashpoint. Whether it’s Ostapenko and Townsend’s war of words, Tsitsipas and Altmaier’s cold shoulder, or even Jaume Munar and Zizou Bergs clashing over grunting, the ritual that’s supposed to embody respect has been anything but routine. Jiri Lehecka, the 20th seed, suggested these conflicts are better resolved “in the locker room, behind closed doors,” rather than in front of a raucous crowd and millions of viewers.
Yet, as Maria Sakkari noted, “We are ... from different countries, different cultures. It’s normal that two people are going to fall out.” And if anything, these incidents serve as a reminder of the human side of tennis—the passion, the pride, and yes, the moments when tempers flare.
As the US Open heads into its second week, the tennis world will be watching not just for winners and losers, but for how the sport’s biggest personalities handle the pressure-cooker environment of New York. Will cooler heads prevail, or is more drama on the horizon? Stay tuned—this year’s US Open is shaping up to be as unpredictable off the court as it is on it.
