"Terrible person supporting another terrible person" - Zverev being picked over Djokovic as Australian Open favorite by Coco Vandeweghe stuns fans

CoCo Vandeweghe recently named Alexander Zverev as the favorite for the 2024 edition of the Australian Open.

Zverev is currently representing Germany at the United Cup, in the lead-up to the first Grand Slam of the year. The 26-year-old recently won his singles and mixed-doubles matchups against Greece, securing Germany's spot in the tournament's semifinals.

In an interview posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, January 5, former US Open doubles champion Vandeweghe suggested that Alexander Zverev might be the top contender for the Australian Open title this season, over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

"Well especially with Novak having the wrist injury that he had at the United Cup, I think there's always going to be a question mark seeing how Novak can recover. But I don't think he's going to be a favorite in my book, Rafa Nadal. But it's hard to count out a champion like that. It really is," she said. "I think my favorite, honestly, going in there is going to be Zverev. I'm calling dark horse Zverev."

Her remarks made waves online, garnering both agreement and disagreement among fans. One fan on X expressed surprise at how swiftly she ruled Novak Djokovic out due to his wrist injury.

Djokovic sustained a wrist injury while representing Serbia in the United Cup and there have been doubts over his fitness for the Australian Open. The Serb aims to win his 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam title in Melbourne this January.

“How quickly they want to rule Novak out! Wow! She’s lost it!,” the fan wrote.

Zverev and Vandeweghe have also received backlash from fans in recent times. Vandeweghe has frequently been criticized for her political views and support for former president Donald Trump. Zverev, on the other hand, has received criticism from fans over the past few years as he has been accused of physical assault by ex-partners Olya Sharypova and Brenda Patea.

One fan stated that they were't surprised Vandeweghe was supporting Zverev and opined that both athletes were "terrible" people.

“Terrible person supporting another terrible person. What's new?” the fan wrote.

One fan stated that the only scenario in which Zverev could win the Australian Open was if other top players such as Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic were to be knocked out early.

Nadal is back on the ATP tour after missing the majority of the 2023 season due to injuries. Carlos Alcaraz meanwhile had an amazing 2023 season and finished the season as world No. 2.

“Zverev is missing something to win a grand slam. The only way Zverev wins is if other top players lose early. If Carlos, Rafa, Novak lose early that's his chance,” the fan wrote.

Below are some more reactions from fans:

Alexander Zverev's best Australian Open performance came in 2020

2023 Australian Open - Day 2 Zverev

Alexander Zverev has competed in nine editions of the Australian Open in his career and has a 20-9 record at the Grand Slam. Zverev's best run at the Australian Open was in 2020, when he reached the semifinals.

In the first round of the tournament, he defeated Marco Cecchinato. He then overcame Egor Gerasimov, Fernando Verdasco and Andrey Rublev in the second, third and fourth rounds, respectively.

His quarterfinal opponent was Swiss star Stan Wawrinka, whom he defeated in a four-set encounter. Zverev was then knocked out by Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem in the semifinals.

Zverev also reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2021, and the Round of 16 in both 2019 and 2022.