Alexander Zverev has openly criticized the umpiring during the French Open final, claiming that critical decisions went against him and affected the match’s outcome.
Zverev’s comments have sparked discussions among tennis enthusiasts and analysts about the officiating quality and its impact on high-stakes matches. He pointed out several contentious calls that he believes were biased and pivotal in deciding the final result.
His outspoken remarks highlight the intensity and pressure of the final, raising important questions about the consistency and fairness of umpiring in major tournaments.
Alexander Zverev didn’t conceal his frustration after discovering that chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein made an incorrect call during the fifth set, which deprived him of a crucial break against Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev emphasized that the match dynamics would have significantly changed if the score had been tied at two games apiece in the decisive set. This incident has further fueled the debate about the impact of umpiring errors in critical moments of high-stakes tennis matches.
After Carlos Alcaraz secured the first break of the fifth set in the third game, taking a 2-1 lead, Alexander Zverev quickly earned three consecutive break points in the next game. On Zverev’s break point, Alcaraz missed his first serve, and his second serve was initially called out. However, chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein overruled the call on the second serve, allowing Alcaraz to have another chance at serving. This controversial decision played a crucial role in the match’s outcome, leaving Zverev frustrated and questioning the officiating during this critical juncture
On a TV screen, the review—unavailable to officials on the court—confirmed that Alcaraz’s second serve was indeed out, meaning Zverev should have won the fourth game.
However, following the overruled call, Alcaraz saved four break points in that game and extended his lead to 3-1. Zverev was unable to recover, and Alcaraz secured another break in the seventh game, ultimately winning the match 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. This controversial moment significantly influenced the match’s outcome, leaving Zverev and many spectators questioning the officiating standards in such critical situations.
After the final, Zverev revealed that someone confirmed to him that Alcaraz’s second serve in the fourth game on a break point was indeed out. This confirmation added to Zverev’s frustration, as the incorrect call had a significant impact on the match’s outcome, preventing him from leveling the score and shifting the momentum in his favor.
“I heard at 2-1 the second serve was out. From the Hawk-Eye data, I saw that. I break back there, I have break chances and then in the next service game, the fifth set can go the other way,”
Zverev said after the loss.
“But it is what it is. Look, he played fantastic. He played better than me in the fourth and fifth sets.”
He added
Addressing the controversial call, Zverev remarked that it made “a deciding difference” and was undoubtedly “a frustrating moment.” However, the 27-year-old German also acknowledged that umpires are human and that mistakes can happen. Despite his frustration, Zverev recognized the fallibility of officiating and the challenges that come with making split-second decisions during intense matches.
“It’s frustrating in the end, but it is what it is. Umpires make mistakes. They’re also human and that’s okay. But of course in a situation like that, you wish there wouldn’t be mistakes.”
Zverev said after finals of Roland Garros