Daniil Medvedev Protests Unusual Umpire Decision Involving Birds at US Open
During his second-round match at the US Open, Daniil Medvedev protested an umpire's call to replay a point after birds landed on the net during the rally, a decision he found highly unusual.

Detroit, MI, September 2, 2026 —
Tennis player Daniil Medvedev voiced strong objections to an umpire’s decision during his second-round match at the US Open. The point in question was ordered to be replayed after a group of birds landed on the net while a rally was in progress.
Medvedev found the ruling to be highly unusual and expressed his dissent. The specifics of Medvedev’s protest and the exact exchange with the umpire were not detailed in the provided summary. The name of the umpire involved in the call has not been disclosed.
The incident occurred during a critical stage of the match, though the particular round and opponent were not specified. The unusual intervention by wildlife onto the court led to a contentious moment, prompting Medvedev to question the umpire’s judgment. Tennis rules generally allow for a point to be replayed if external interference, such as birds, significantly impacts play, but Medvedev’s reaction suggests he perceived the situation or the resulting decision differently.
The outcome of the point, the match, and any subsequent actions or further discussions regarding this peculiar event were not provided in the summary. The location within the US Open venue where this occurred was also not specified.
Story summarized from the original created by Associated Press on www.clickondetroit.com, see more information here.