Tensions between Alexander Zverev and Arthur Fils erupted during the Hamburg Open final, forcing an umpire to intervene and keep the two players apart. In a three-hour and thirty-one-minute marathon match, Fils prevailed in a third-set tiebreak to claim his first ATP 500 title.
During a play break in the match’s final set, Fils became enraged and launched a verbal rant at Zverev. It happened after the Frenchman attempted an underarm serve, which was initially ruled out but was later determined to have been called in.
Zverev also appeared to be offended by Fils’s underhanded serving, and the audience started applauding his missed serves. Subsequently, there was a furious altercation between the two players, and Filers approached Zverev, who was seated in his courtside chair. To calm the situation, the umpire intervened and pushed Fils back to his side of the net with his hands.
Ultimately, a third-set tiebreak was needed to determine the winner, and Fils prevailed by maintaining his composure to defeat Zverev and earn his maiden Hamburg Open title. He revealed in his post-match interview that he was serving underarm because attempting a regular serve was causing him to cramp.
Arthur Fils and Alexander Zverev having a word at the changeover.
A lot of drama in this last game.
Arthur tried hitting an underarm serve that was called in, but upon further review, it was out.
The crowd started applauding Arthur’s missed serves.
A few points later,… pic.twitter.com/wmHEsRtE1h
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 21, 2024
(VIDEO) Heated scenes in Hamburg Open final as Alexander Zverev and Arthur Fils separated by umpire followed by frosty handshake #Tennis https://t.co/aZUiicM8x8
— TennisUpToDate (@TennisUpToDate2) July 21, 2024
Alexander Zverev in 2024
Ranked world no.4, Alexander played his last encounter on the 21st of July when he was defeated by world no.28 Arthur Fils 6-3 3-6 7-6(1) in the final in Hamburg (draw).
Currently, during this year Alexander has managed to achieve an overall 44-13 win-loss record. The German conquered 2 titles in 2024 in Australia and Rome. The German got to the final at the French Open and Hamburg.
Alexander Zverev will face the world no.18 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Round Robin on Sunday at 2:00 pm on CENTER COURT. The head to head is 6-2 for Zverev.
Alexander has won 2 titles in 2024 in Australia and Rome. Zverev was the runner-up at the French Open and in Hamburg (Hamburg Open).
Zverev 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)
Arthur Fils in 2024
Ranked no.28 (career-high), Arthur played his last match on the 21st of July when he defeated world no.4 Alexander Zverev 6-3 3-6 7-6(1) in the final in Hamburg to win his 2nd career title.
This year Arthur has achieved an overall 28-17 match record. The French player has won 2 titles in 2024 in the Bordeaux Challenger and Hamburg.
Alexander Zverev and Arthur Fils fought against each other 3 times. Their actual record is 2-1 for Zverev. Before, the last time they competed against each other, Arthur Fils won 6-3 3-6 7-6(1) in the final in Hamburg (Hamburg Open) on the 21st of July 2024.
Here are the highlights.
