‘I am tired of it’ – Alexander Zverev blasts ATP scheduling following Madrid loss
World number three Alexander Zverev has slammed the ATP for their scheduling as he labelled it “an absolute disgrace” following his loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Madrid Open final.
The 2021 Madrid Open champion was dismantled in the final by the teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz as he lost 6-3, 6-1 in just 62 minutes.
Following the match the German praised the Spaniard as the “best player in the world” after the contest, but also expressed his unhappiness at having two late-night finishes.
Zverev’s semi-final win over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday only started at almost midnight while his quarter-final victory against Felix Auger-Aliassime finished deep into the night.
Speaking post-match, Zverev praised the 19-year-old Spaniard for his performance but also vented his frustration about the times of his matches, arguing that it negatively impacted his “coordination” on the court.
Alexander Zverev told reporters, “[Carlos] is playing amazing, there’s absolutely no doubt about it. But one thing I have to say is that the ATP’s job was an absolute disgrace this week. Two days ago I went to bed at 4am, 4:30am. Yesterday I went to bed at 5:20am.
“You know, if any normal person goes to bed one night at 4am, the next night at 5am, it will be a tough time just to be awake for them. And for me to play a final against Carlos Alcaraz, who for me is the best player in the world right now, in a Masters 1000 event, the next day, it is difficult.
“Today on court, I’m a little bit angry, I would say, because I had no coordination on my serve, I had no coordination on my groundstrokes. I missed two overheads that were super easy because I see the ball, and everything is moving in my eyes.
“I don’t want to take anything away, and today obviously, even if I’m fresh, probably I would not beat Carlos, but definitely it would be a better match.”
Zverev also went on to say this is not just a one off incident for the German as he referenced his record breaking match at the Acapulco Open back in February.
“But I had absolutely no chance today of being myself. I had absolutely no chance of playing my level. This is not the first time this is happening. In Acapulco I played until 5am, I was awake until 8:30am. This is happening on a weekly basis, and to be honest, I’m a little tired of it.”
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