"Alexander Zverev crying, throwing up"; "It's humiliating" - Fans "annoyed" by Shanghai Masters draw ft. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic

Tennis fans recently expressed their disappointment at the 2024 Shanghai Masters draw, which features the likes of Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic. Several fans pointed out the repetitive nature of the quarterfinals’ lineup.

The draw for the Masters 1000 event in Shanghai (October 2-13) was announced on Monday, September 30, with Sinner and Zverev as the top two seeds, respectively. Alcaraz, the third seed, was drawn in the World No. 1’s half.

Interestingly, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were also placed in the same half at three of the four Grand Slam events this year. Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev was yet again drawn in Sinner’s quarter. The pair, who have faced each other a staggering nine times since 2023, most recently clashed in the quarterfinals of the US Open, where the eventual champion, Sinner, emerged victorious.

Tennis fans were thus unamused by the latest Shanghai Masters draw.

"Carlos Alcaraz vs. Casper Ruud? Daniil vs. Jannik? I'M SO TIRED GIVE US SOMETHING NEW," one fan said.

"I swear I've seen this exact draw at least 5 times this year. Jannik Sinner Daniil Medvedev QF Carlos Alcaraz in same half," another fan noted.

"Sinner facing Medvedev on almost a monthly basis since Beijing 2023," yet another fan joked.

Novak Djokovic, who features in Alexander Zverev’s half, has drawn last year's runner-up Andrey Rublev in his quarter. The duo are no strangers to quarterfinal battles. In 2023, they were thrice placed in the same quarter of Grand Slams.

Meanwhile, Zverev's got Taylor Fritz as a potential quarterfinal opponent. The World No. 2’s most recent two losses have come at the hands of the American at the Laver Cup and the US Open quarterfinals. He was also beaten by Fritz in the fourth round of this year’s Wimbledon Championships.

"Zv*rev screaming and crying and throwing up," one fan joked.

"Zverev might eliminate himself before QF to avoid facing Taylor again. It's getting humiliating at this point," another fan chimed in.

"Feels like every big event in the last few months has had a Sinner-Medvedev quarter and a Zverev-Fritz… has reached the point of annoyingly repetitive," tennis analyst Gill Gross said.

"Seriously what are the odds of this. The point of not doing 1v8 etc. is to create randomised match-ups - so if we don’t get that, at what point does it become unworkable," one fan added.

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Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are presently at the China Open as Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic prepare to resume their campaign in Shanghai

Jannik Sinner pictured at the 2024 China Open - Image Source: Getty

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are presently competing at the 2024 China Open in Beijing. Both players have reached the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 event.

Alcaraz is battling against Karen Khachanov for a spot in the semifinals, while Sinner, the defending champion, is set to face Jiri Lehecka for a place in the final four.

Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic decided against competing at any ATP 500 event before the Shanghai Masters. The German's most recent outing came at the Laver Cup, while the Serb was in action at the Davis Cup, representing Serbia in their World Group 1 tie against Greece.