Alexander Zverev fumes after Carlos Alcaraz takes a medical timeout for cramps during their Australian Open semi-final, questioning rules and alleged preferential treatment.
Germany's Alexander Zverev couldn't hide his frustration over Carlos Alcaraz getting a medical timeout during their Australian Open Men's semi-final in Melbourne on Friday.
Key Points
- Zverev was caught on camera arguing with the match supervisor, calling the decision “bullsh*t.”
- The German suggested top players like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner receive preferential treatment.
- The incident has reignited debate over medical timeout regulations and on-court officiating consistency.
World No 1 Alcaraz was struggling to move at 4-4 in the third set and took a medical timeout for cramps, leaving German Zverev incensed.
Alcaraz in discomfort in 4th set
During the third set, Alcaraz was seen stretching his right leg even as he appeared to play in pain, after leading 2-0 set lead.
He then proceeded to take a medical timeout when he was leading the third set 5-4.
Angry Zverev remonstrated with match officials
Zverev was seen speaking angrily with the match supervisor, seemingly in German.
'It's unbelievable that he gets treated for cramps, it’s Bullsh*t...' he was caught by the cameras remonstrating with the official.
'You are protecting these two guys all the time,' he said referring to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The rule in tennis states that players can't take a medical timeout for cramping, a rule that applies for ATP, WTA, ITF events as well as Grand Slams.
Zverev slams officials after match
After the match, Zverev condemned officials for allowing Alcaraz a medical time-out for a leg problem.
Zverev was upset that Alcaraz was allowed treatment on his right thigh at the change of ends after the third set.
"Yeah, I mean, he was cramping, so normally you can't take a medical time-out for cramping," third seed Zverev said at his post-match press conference.
"What can I do? It's not my decision. I didn't like it, but it's not my decision."
On court, Zverev lashed out at a match supervisor in profanity-laden German as Alcaraz underwent treatment.
"I just said it was bullshit, basically," he said later of the exchange, noting that Alcaraz finished full of running.
"He took like an hour and a half off where he wasn't moving almost at all.
"So again, maybe I should have used that better in a way. Maybe I should have won the games and won the sets a bit quicker.
"Then moving into the fifth, maybe he wouldn't have had so much time to recover. But the fifth set, the way he was moving, was incredible again."
Runner-up to Jannik Sinner last year, Zverev was serving for the match at 5-4 in the fifth set of Friday's semi-final but Alcaraz won the next three games to leave the German with another near-miss at the Grand Slams.
Still chasing an elusive first major title, Zverev said he had more regrets about dropping the second set than his surrender in the fifth.
"I was hanging on for dear life, to be honest. I was exhausted," he said, rating the match as probably the toughest physically of his career.
"I think we both went to our absolute limits, so somewhat I'm also proud of myself the way I was hanging on and came back from two sets to love.
"Of course it's disappointing but this is the start of the year, so if I continue playing that way, if I continue training the way I train, if I continue working on the things that I've been working in the offseason, I do believe it's going to be a good year for me."
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