Alexander Zverev is in great form as he recently defeated Filip Krajinovic 6-2, 7-5 in the first round of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, Austria. Following the match, theGerman was asked to share his opinion on the best hardcourt players currently.
Zverev mentioned World No. 1 Novak Djokovic’s name first followed by reigning US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and lastly included his name in the list.
“If I have to make a ranking based on hard courts,” he said. “I would say Djokovic, Medvedev and me”.
Some people felt that Zverev missed the name of Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas, who won the 2019 ATP Finals. Hence when the German left Tsitsipas’ name out it was surprising for the journalists. While Tsitsipas is in his career best season, his best performances have come on clay courts. Therefore Zverev left him out from the list and later clarified that he has everything in order with the Greek tennis star.
The German youngster was very aware that it would surely shoot up as the next controversy so he clarified himself. He also urged the media not to blow up his comment as he suggested that he has nothing against Tsitsipas.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not taking Tsitsipas out of it,” said Zverev. “Please don’t start this thing of me against Stefanos, I’m in very good relationship with Stef right now and I have nothing against him”.
There has been a lot of rivalry between Zverev and Tsitsipas since their early days on tour. The matches have only gotten feistier and the rivalry has remained the same even in the present day. However, sometimes their tennis has taken a backseat and their comments about each other have grabbed the headlines.
Things started when they faced each other in the Cincinnati Open semifinals. Zverev blamed Tsitsipas for receiving coaching on the phone while taking one of his long toilet breaks. Tsitsipas has been criticised way too many times for taking long toilet breaks. The Greek star was recently called out when he faced Andy Murray at the US Open. The Brit had momentum going in that match before Tsitsipas took a long toilet break. Hence Murray criticised him on social media and Zverev came out in support of the former World No. 1.
The German has called out Tsitsipas a couple of times for his toilet breaks recently. But now he has cleared that he has nothing against the Greek tennis star.
