By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, August 31, 2025
Photo credit: Omnium Banque Nationale Facebook
NEW YORK—The US Open has been called the Chaos Slam by some competitors.
Eight days into the tournament, we’ve witnessed meltdowns, blow-ups and brouhahas.
Daniil Medvedev melted down berating the chair umpire and smashing his racquets after bowing to Benjamin Bonzi on Louis Armstrong Stadium suffering his third straight Grand Slam first-round exit.
Jelena Ostapenko generated global headlines for trashing Taylor Townsend as having “no education” after the American didn’t apologize for net-cord shot during her 7-5, 6-1 upset of the 25th-seeded Latvian.
Stefanos Tsitsipas took offense to Daniel Altmaier serving underhanded during his 7-6(5), 1-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 second-round upset of the former major finalist. Tsitsipas told Altmaier at the post-match handshake: “Next time don’t wonder why I hit you, ok?”
The 56th-ranked Altmaier walked away while Tsitsipas tried to continue the lecture saying “I’m just saying if you serve underarm….”
While some players say the intensity of New York City crowds can sometimes incite players into over the top or even bad behavior, Naomi Osaka isn’t buying it.
Osaka, who grew up on Long Island and attended the US Open as a kid before moving to Florida, said players need to own their behavior rather that blame the loud, bustling sometimes boisterous environment of the Open.
“Hey, don’t blame New York,” Osaka said. “I don’t know what the tea is with Tsitsipas, so I’m not going to say anything.
“But I don’t know. I feel like 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.”
Rather than chaotic cauldron of New York City, Osaka points to the end of a long Grand Slam season as the reason some players lose it: Because they’re mentally fried.
“I don’t know if it’s just the part of the season where everyone is, like, tired and irritated or something,” said Osaka, who will face a pro-American crowd when she takes on Coco Gauff in Monday’s fourth-round blockbuster. “But yeah, I mean, for me I think New York brings out my best behavior, so I don’t know what everyone else is doing.”
