Alexander Zverev expressed his displeasure with the behavior of Taylor Fritz’s entourage following their intense five-set battle on Centre Court. Fritz, coming from two sets down, ultimately won 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3 to advance to the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
After the match, Zverev and Fritz engaged in a lengthy and tense conversation at the net. While Fritz played down the discussion in his on-court interview, Zverev was more candid in his press conference.
“Me and Taylor, we grew up together, playing each other since juniors. I think it was fairly obvious that I wasn’t 100% today, right? I wasn’t moving really the entire match. I wasn’t running for dropshots. If I was running for a dropshot, I was limping there more than running,” Zverev began.
Zverev then focused his criticism on Fritz’s entourage, stating, “His team is extremely respectful. I think his coach, his physio, also his second coach, they’re extremely respectful. I think there’s some other people that maybe are in the box that are not maybe from the tennis world, that are not maybe from particularly watching every single match. They were a bit over the top.”
Despite his comments, Zverev clarified that he had no issues with Fritz himself. “But no issues with Taylor. I think Taylor is a great guy. I have absolutely no issues with him,” he added.
In response, Fritz maintained a diplomatic stance, stating, “I mean, I don’t know. Like I said, I can’t hear. I can’t hear. I don’t really hear my box when I’m playing like that. I didn’t hear anyone being, like, extremely loud.”
Fritz acknowledged Zverev’s right to be annoyed if his entourage was disruptive but emphasized that it was not a significant issue. “He’s totally allowed to be annoyed if they were being annoying. Like, again, I don’t know. That’s one of the things I asked him at the net, Who was it? Yeah, I mean, again, it’s not a big thing. It’s all good.”
Fritz also commented on Zverev’s physical condition during the match. “I mean, at the net, like, it’s no big deal. I think he felt that he was for parts, I guess towards the end of the fifth at least, kind of limping around a bit. I think he was annoyed at some people in my box just being loud, cheering for me.”
Reflecting on the match, Fritz said, “Going into it, I was just trying to I guess approach the match as if he’s healthy. Again, I can’t speak for how healthy he is or not.”
Despite the on-court tensions, both players expressed mutual respect for each other, with Zverev highlighting their long-standing familiarity from junior tennis days.
Alexander Zverev in 2024
At the moment ranked no.4, the German played his last match on the 8th of July when he surrendered to world no.12 Taylor Fritz 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 6-3 in the 4th round in Wimbledon (draw).
Presently, during this year Zverev owns an overall 40-12 win-loss record. Alexander has won 2 titles in 2024 in Australia and Rome. The German was the finalist at the French Open.
Alexander Zverev will face the world no.17 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Round Robin on Sunday at 2:00 pm on CENTER COURT. Their actual record is 6-2 for Zverev.
The German has won 2 titles in 2024 in Australia and Rome. Alexander was the runner-up at the French Open.
Alexander won 23 titles in his career: 8 on hard courts, 8 on clay courts and 7 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Zverev will play next in Hamburg (Hamburg Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 15th of July.
Taylor Fritz in 2024
LWWWWWWWWL Ranked no.12, Taylor played his last match on the 8th of July when he defeated world no.4 Alexander Zverev 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 6-3 in the 4th round in Wimbledon (draw).
Presently, during this year the American owns a 35-12 match record. The American conquered 2 titles in 2024 in Delray Beach and Eastbourne. Taylor got to the final in Munich.
Taylor Fritz will play the world no.8 Casper Ruud in the Round Robin. Their record is 2-0 for Ruud.
Taylor clinched 2 titles in 2024 in Delray Beach and Eastbourne. Fritz was the finalist in Munich (BMW Open).
The American won 9 titles in his career: 6 on hard courts and 3 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz squared off 9 times. Their head to head is 5-4 for Zverev. The last time they fought against each other, Taylor Fritz won 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 6-3 in the 4th round in London (Wimbledon) on the 8th of July 2024.
Here are the highlights.
Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz |
| Embed from Getty Images |
