The tennis world watched in shock as Daniil Medvedev’s frustration boiled over again. After falling to Benjamin Bonzi in the first round of the 2025 US Open, the former world No. 1 sat courtside repeatedly smashing his racket in a scene that’s becoming all too familiar. But this time, prominent voices in tennis are saying what many have been thinking: Medvedev needs help.
What Did Brad Gilbert Say About Daniil Medvedev’s Meltdown After His US Open Loss?
Brad Gilbert, who was Coco Gauff’s coach for over a year until September 2024, didn’t hold back when discussing Medvedev’s latest outburst. The Russian’s third first-round Grand Slam exit of 2024-25 came after losing to Bonzi 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 at the US Open, marking Bonzi’s victory over the former US Open champion.
Medvedev’s emotional breakdown played out after the match in full view of the crowd and cameras. The scene prompted Boris Becker to call it a “public meltdown” and suggest that the Russian needs “professional help” to manage his anger.
Daniil Medvedev looking totally distraught after his loss to Bonzi at the U.S. open.
He’s smashing his racquet and just sitting on the court.
Brutal loss to swallow.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025
Gilbert’s response carried even more weight because he’d witnessed this pattern before. The veteran coach reminded everyone that Medvedev’s US Open meltdown wasn’t an isolated incident.
he did the same thing after his loss in Washington DC, was a complete meltdown there too, unfortunately the brain is getting the better of him after losing these close matches the last few months, i agree he definitely needs some help
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) August 25, 2025
“He did the same thing after his loss in Washington DC, was a complete meltdown there too, unfortunately the brain is getting the better of him after losing these close matches the last few months, i agree he definitely needs some help,” Gilbert posted on X.
How Has Medvedev’s Season Spiraled Out of Control?
The warning signs have been building throughout 2024-25. Beyond his second-round exit at the Australian Open, Medvedev suffered first-round losses at the French Open and Wimbledon Championships. His struggles continued through the North American hard-court swing, where he lost in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Citi DC Open to Corentin Moutet and fell in the second round at both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open to Alexei Popyrin and Adam Walton, respectively.
Gilbert’s reference to the Washington, D.C., incident highlights how consistent these outbursts have become. After losing to Moutet, Medvedev destroyed his water bottle on the court, behavior strikingly similar to his racket-smashing episode at the US Open.
O jogo do MEDVEDEV vs MOUTET foi paralisado por conta dos raios no 4/5 do terceiro set.
Na retomada, o russo voltou sacando, fez 3 duplas faltas no game e perdeu o jogo.
Jogou a raquete longe e destruiu a garrafa d’água de cerâmica…pic.twitter.com/iu6xIZfLM3
— Info Tenis Brasil (@InfoTenisBrasil) July 25, 2025
The 13th-seeded player did find some success in doubles at the 2025 US Open, partnering with compatriot Mirra Andreeva in mixed doubles. The pair defeated wild cards Olga Danilović and Novak Djokovic 4-2, 5-3 in the first round before falling to top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper 4-1, 4-1 in the second round.
However, these small victories couldn’t mask the larger concerns about Medvedev’s mental state on the court. When seasoned coaches like Gilbert and legends like Becker publicly call for intervention, the tennis community recognizes this as more than competitive frustration.
