Alexander Zverev’s recent controversial comments at the 2023 French Open have caused some fans to draw comparisons between him and Carlos Alcaraz.
Zverev advanced to the semifinals of the claycourt Major for the third consecutive year by defeating Tomas Etcheverry 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 22 minutes. The German’s achievement is even more significant in light of the fact that his campaign in 2022 was derailed abruptly as a horrifying ankle injury forced him to retire mid-match during his semifinal against Rafael Nadal.
Following his win, Alex Corretja asked the German what was on his mind during the change of ends prior to serving for the match, to which Zverev replied:
“Yeah, I just have to remember that I have a pair of balls, as well, that I can use.”
Several fans criticized the 26-year-old’s words. One fan denounced the German’s comments and called him a “vulgar fellow.”
“Such a vulgar fellow, used some raunchy metaphor in the previous post match presser as well,” the fan commented.
Former World No. 3 Pam Shriver also shared her disgust at Alexander Zverev’s remark and called him an “anti-role model.”
“Stupid, insensitive, pathetic, tone deaf, idiotic, impulsive, ignorant, and disgusting thing to say. The Anti Role Model is SZ,” Shriver tweeted.
However, other fans claimed hypocrisy in the outrage towards Zverev, arguing that Alcaraz had never received the same amount of vitriol for similar comments.
“I don’t like what he said but the outrage is interesting bc Carlos always says it too and no one is outraged,” the fan commented.
A user called out the apparent double standards in the treatment of Alcaraz’s frequent use of his grandfather’s motto “cabeza, corazón, cojones.” That translates to “head, heart, balls,” but has never garnered the same level of outrage.
“Should the same standards apply with the easy use of the word “cojones” then? What happened to “cabeza, corazon y cojones”? Where’s the outrage there?” the fan tweeted.
Here are a few more fan reactions to Alexander Zverev‘s comments:
French Open 2023 SF: Alexander Zverev to take on Casper Ruud, Carlos Alcaraz faces Novak Djokovic
Alexander Zverev will be up against Casper Ruud for a spot in the final of the 2023 French Open. Ruud defeated Holger Rune 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to book his spot against the German.
Zverev leads 2-1 in his head-to-head against the Norwegian. However, each of their three matches so far has come on hardcourts, making their upcoming clash in Paris their first meeting on clay.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz will take on Novak Djokovic in a highly-anticipated semifinal on the other side of the draw. The Spaniard won their sole previous encounter in the 2022 Madrid Open semifinal 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5), in what was a closely-contested encounter that lasted three hours and 38 minutes.
