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Alexander Zverev's verbal outburst at a ball kid during his semifinal clash at the 2024 Italian Open has sparked outrage among tennis fans. The incident took place as the German battled it out against Alejandro Tabilo for a place in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 event.
After losing the opening set 6-1, Zverev mounted a stellar comeback to secure a hard-fought 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 victory in the riveting clash. With the win, the German advanced to his first Masters 1000 final since the 2022 Madrid Open, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
Beyond the World No. 5's performance, it was his angry outburst that caught fans' attention and ignited controversy. During the clash, Alexander Zverev appeared irritated by what he perceived as a delay from a ball kid in handing him the ball, lashing out in frustration.
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"Give me the ball, for f**k's sake," he addressed the ball kid.
Fans didn't take kindly to the 27-year-old's conduct, claiming that his public outburst lent credence to the domestic abuse allegations leveled against him by his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, Brenda Patea. The German is set to stand trial for the same on May 31.
"Yeah, verbally abusing a kid who did nothing wrong on live TV for the whole world to see. I know exactly what he does behind closed doors when there are no witnesses," one fan commented.
"He talks like that to a kid and wants us to not believe the allegations?" another fan questioned.
"It also, for me, makes it far easier to believe the allegations considering he clearly simply can't control his anger in public. Most players go their entire careers never insulting ball kids or attacking the umpire's chair. The fact he can't control himself in public makes it much easier to believe he is even worse in private," said another.
Several fans also contended that Alexander Zverev's behavior made him unlikable by itself, even without the domestic violence allegations.
"The thing I always say about him is even without any allegations whatsoever he’d still be unlikable," one fan posted.
"He was insufferable before they even came out," another fan chimed in.
"He makes hating him so easy," said yet another.
Other fans, meanwhile, expressed their fervent desire for him to get "destroyed" in the final.
"Complaining about not getting a ball quick enough, then proceeds to bounce the ball 100000 times before serving. Cant stand this guy. I hope he gets destroyed in the final," a fan wrote.
"A**hole, hope he chokes the final," another fan commented.
Alexander Zverev to take on Nicolas Jarry in Italian Open final
Following his win over Alejandro Tabilo, Alexander Zverev will square off against Nicolas Jarry in the Italian Open final. Jarry beat Tommy Paul 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3 in a closely contested battle to book his place in his maiden Masters 1000 final.
The German has triumphed in four of his six encounters against Jarry, including a 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3 victory in their most recent clash in the 2023 China Open quarterfinals.
Alexander Zverev will be on the hunt for his sixth Masters 1000 title in the Italian Open final. If he emerges victorious, he will claim the World No. 4 ranking and secure second place in the Race to the ATP Finals.
