Alexander Zverev has come under fire for his actions during the Wimbledon final.
Zverev took an early lead against Jannik Sinner during Sunday’s Wimbledon final, winning the first-set tiebreak 9-7.
Upon capturing the first set, Zverev roared in celebration towards his coaching box inside Centre Court.
Who do you think is more likely to win another Grand Slam out of Novak Djokovic & Alexander Zverev? 🤔
Rennae Stubbs, Serena Williams’ coach, described Zverev’s reaction as ‘so over the top’ during her latest podcast episode.
Zverev most certainly has his flaws. However, this criticism in particular is completely unwarranted and unfair.
Rennae Stubbs is wrong about Alexander Zverev’s first set celebrations during the Wimbledon final
“Remember, he turned round and screamed ‘come on’ to his players’ box?” said Stubbs.
“It was so over the top.
“I was like, dude, you have two more sets to win against the best player in the world.
“I felt he thought he was going to win the tournament after that, and I was like, no.
“As soon as he missed that forehand in the second set, that was it.”
Stubbs, a six-time major doubles champion, has completely missed the mark with her analysis of this moment during the Wimbledon final.
Was Zverev not allowed to celebrate winning the first set of a Wimbledon final against the world number one?
The German did not make a fool of himself; he simply celebrated winning a set against Sinner for the first time in nine matches.
Policing celebrations such as Zverev’s is a wholly unnecessary venture and, frankly, completely over the top.
These criticisms also damage the sport.
Tennis – and sport in general – thrives off emotion; whether that emotion derives from players, coaches, or fans.
To ridicule an athlete for a simple display of emotion during a high-stakes contest flies in the face of what professional competition is all about.
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Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner’s next event
Zverev and Sinner’s next tournament is currently set to be the Canadian Open.
The Masters 1000 event, hosted in Montreal, will begin on August 1.
The tournament was last won by Ben Shelton. The American, now ranked sixth on the ATP Tour, defeated Karen Khachanov in last year’s final, 6–7, 6–4, 7–6.
“It’s a surreal feeling,” Shelton said after winning his first Masters title. “It’s been a long week, not an easy path to the final.
“My best tennis came out when it mattered most. I was clutch, I persevered, I was resilient. All the qualities I like to see in myself.”
Shelton and the likes of Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime are all set to play in this year’s Canadian event.
Carlos Alcaraz, who is still recovering from a wrist injury, is the only player of the top 72-ranked players not on the entry list for the Canadian Open.
