Skip to main content Digital Camera World Digital Camera World THE HOME OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Search Digital Camera World View Profile Accessories Buying Guides The Photography & Video Show Digital Camera Australian Camera Australian ProPhoto Photography Magazines Why subscribe? Issues filled with product reviews, latest updates, expert advice and more Delivered to your Android or IOS device Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration From$12Subscribe now Camera news Camera rumors Photography & Video Show Cheatsheets Photo mag deals Prime Day deals Recommended reading Photojournalism What to keep in mind when photographing political protests and demonstrations Photojournalism From Oasis gigs to Monaco hotels, photographers' rights are under siege Portrait Photography Photographer sets his camera lens on fire to shoot a sports portrait – and the results are 🔥 Sports Photography This vibrant action shot of Lewis Hamilton, captured creatively at 1/10 sec with a Nikon DSLR camera, showcases the dynamic energy of Formula 1 racing Sports Photography Game, set and match! Ace your tennis shots with this winning camera trick Galleries and Exhibitions Check out iconic photos of some of the greatest ever sportsmen in Camera Work's free virtual gallery! Sports Photography Here’s how I’d start photographing soccer today Photography Photography Styles Sports Photography Photographer Selcuk Acar calls himself the “victim” in the center of US Open tennis chaos, but I think he's clearly in the wrong! Sebastian Oakley 26 August 2025 Daniil Medvedev explodes after photographer steps onto court at match point When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Wide Word of Sports) The U.S. Open witnessed a moment of pure chaos on Sunday night when Daniil Medvedev erupted in fury after photographer Selcuk Acar stepped onto the tennis court mid-serve, sparking a seven-minute standoff that overshadowed Benjamin Bonzi’s first-round victory. The man at the center of it all, freelance photojournalist Selcuk Acar, now finds himself without accreditation and at the heart of a heated debate about professionalism, responsibility, and the fine line sports photographers walk when working at the highest level. You can see the full chaos unfold in the video below: You may like What to keep in mind when photographing political protests and demonstrations From Oasis gigs to Monaco hotels, photographers' rights are under siege Photographer sets his camera lens on fire to shoot a sports portrait – and the results are 🔥 Medvedev SPARKS MASSIVE RIOT at the US Open | Wide World of Sports - YouTube The incident unfolded during a tense third set on Louis Armstrong Stadium. With Bonzi serving on match point, Acar entered the court, interrupting play and prompting chair umpire Greg Allensworth to award Bonzi another first serve. Medvedev, the 13th seed, was incensed, directing his anger at the umpire and rallying the crowd in protest. Arms raised, he tried to whip up boos, delaying play for nearly seven minutes in a dramatic scene that quickly went viral. Acar, however, insists he is the victim of a misunderstanding. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he claimed a security official told him: “The match is stopped,” before he entered the court, adding that cameras would show him following instructions. “This incident has already turned into a lynching, and although I’m innocent, I’ve suffered greatly,” he said. With a résumé that includes NATO summits, presidential visits, and the FIFA World Cup, Acar stressed he is not the type of professional to make “such a mistake.” The United States Tennis Association saw it differently. In a statement released to media, the USTA confirmed Acar had been told to stay in position and ignored instructions from both security and the umpire. His credential for the tournament was revoked immediately. “The photographer disregarded these instructions and improperly entered the court between serves on match point,” the statement read. Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. As someone who spent two decades photographing international sport, I find the issue clear-cut. Every major event has a press briefing. You are told the go and no-go zones, the rules on equipment, and - crucially - what you can and cannot do during live play. These aren’t vague guidelines; they are hard lines designed to protect the integrity of the sport. Common sense dictates that if the game is live, you stay put. Only when play is stopped do you move. Having watched the footage back, I believe Acar was at fault. Mistakes happen, but when you are a freelancer, you know the stakes. You follow the rules to the letter and always err on the side of caution. If you don’t, you accept the consequences - up to and including being asked to leave. For Medvedev, the moment was another flashpoint in a career marked by combustible exchanges with crowds and officials. For Acar, it has become a costly lesson in the unforgiving spotlight of Grand Slam tennis, and for those of us who’ve lived behind the lens in the world of sport, it’s a stark reminder: you may be there to get the picture, but the play always comes first. Sebastian Oakley Social Links Navigation Ecommerce Editor For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and holds a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since his film days using a Nikon F5. He saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still, to this day, the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, the British Equestrian Writers' Association. He is familiar with and shows great interest in 35mm, medium, and large-format photography, using products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2, shooting Street/Documentary photography as he sees it, usually in Black and White. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. What to keep in mind when photographing political protests and demonstrations From Oasis gigs to Monaco hotels, photographers' rights are under siege Photographer sets his camera lens on fire to shoot a sports portrait – and the results are 🔥 This vibrant action shot of Lewis Hamilton, captured creatively at 1/10 sec with a Nikon DSLR camera, showcases the dynamic energy of Formula 1 racing Game, set and match! Ace your tennis shots with this winning camera trick Check out iconic photos of some of the greatest ever sportsmen in Camera Work's free virtual gallery! Latest in Sports Photography This vibrant action shot of Lewis Hamilton, captured creatively at 1/10 sec with a Nikon DSLR camera, showcases the dynamic energy of Formula 1 racing How one photographer is bringing the US 'Sportrait' style to British turf Things got too real when this legendary WWE wrestler chased a photographer from ringside during a match! Boxing spectacle Eubank Jr vs Benn reminded me why sports photography must NEVER be fully AI-automated NBA photographer scales 150-foot stadium ceiling and manages 8 cameras every gameday Is Ken Griffey Jr. a photographer? Yes – and the Baseball Hall of Famer just shot these photos at the Masters Latest in Features Retro cameras are making a comeback. Bad photography is trending right alongside them I was going to throw away this failed photo. Adobe Lightroom rescued it in less than a minute Even NASA astronauts love retro camera gear. Don Pettit admits to using this vintage 1980s lens in space Why this World Press Photo 2025 photo story hit me harder than ever Rangefinder cameras are at the forefront of the compact camera trend. This is why Think you’re the queen or king of the camera nerds? Take my photography general knowledge quiz LATEST ARTICLES The Vivo V60 launches with a Zeiss co-engineered camera system aimed at portrait fans DJI made a vacuum cleaner – now a flying vacuum might be coming for DJI's drone market... Canon R5 Mark II drops back to its lowest price ever! Here’s how I’d start photographing soccer today Is the new Godox AD400 Pro II the ideal strobe for location shoots? Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Terms and conditions Contact Future's experts Privacy policy Cookies policy Advertise with us Accessibility Statement Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Please login or signup to comment Please wait...