Alexander Zverev went on a rant during his second-round match at the Cincinnati Open after hearing music from other courts while trying to serve. The 16th seed took the opening set 7-5 against Yoshihito Nishioka before approaching the umpire and voicing his frustrations about the “ridiculous” situation. While trying to plead his case, Zverev also reminded the official that he had previously won the tournament.
Zverev aired his grievances with one particular aspect of the Cincinnati Open after winning a 65-minute set against Nishioka. Playing on the tournament’s fourth-biggest show court, both players could hear music through the speakers from surrounding courts while in the middle of their own match.
The loud music has been heard throughout the tournament so far this week, with the smaller outside courts being at a disadvantage when it comes to distractions from surrounding areas. And the German star asked chair umpire Aurelie Tourte to call the supervisor.
In his outburst, the former world No 2 also made sure to point out that he had previously won the tournament. “It’s not your fault. This is ridiculous because we’re playing a Masters, we’re not playing a 250. I won this tournament, you know, it’s not like just a random tournament that we’re just playing,” Zverev said.
Continuing his outburst, the world No 17 added: “There’s literally music coming on break point when I was serving and on break point when he was serving. And the thing is, the distance of the music is exactly the same from that corner as from that corner.”
Tourte could then be heard calling for the supervisor through her walkie-talkie as Zverev sat down at his bench during the changeover. On the commentary for Prime Video, Pete Odgers questioned whether there was anything that could be done about the noise from nearby courts.
“Well as we were saying earlier, the noise travels around these grounds. But it’s an interesting rant there,” he said. “I mean, he said to Aurelie Tourte, ‘I know it’s not your fault.’ But there’s not a lot anyone can do, right?”
Co-commentator Robbie Koenig responded: “Well they’ve got to have a word with the DJ, does the music have to be that loud on Centre Court? I mean, I understand they’re trying to create a vibe but just take it down from a 9.5 to a 7.3 on the dial – maybe even a 6.5.”
But Zverev persisted when supervisor Gerry Armstrong took to the court and sat beside him to discuss the situation. “Gerry, we’re playing in a Masters series. This court today is me, Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, Monfils,” he started.
“We were all players who either won Masters series or were playing 10 or more years on the court. I have to serve break point against me at 5-4 with the music blasting and I have to return at 5-5 with break point with me with the music blasting as well.”
The supervisor responded: “Sascha I know what you’re saying, if I had an answer for you I would give you one.” But Zverev urged him to turn the music off entirely while the tournament was still playing catch-up after rain delays.
He added: “You’re lacking courts because the matches weren’t played on Tuesday or whatever but then adjust, turn it off. We’re playing a Masters, we’re not playing a Challenger, we’re not playing a 250. We’re playing in one of the biggest events of the year. This could literally damage your tournament.”
A champion in Cincinnati two years ago, Zverev missed the tournament last year due to an ankle injury. The 26-year-old is now looking for a spot in the round-of-16 where he will face 2019 winner Daniil Medvedev.
