(Video) Furious Alexander Zverev Accuses Australian Open of ‘Protecting’ Carlos Alcaraz After Spaniard Takes Medical Timeout for Cramps

Alexander Zverev locked horns with Carlos Alcaraz for the 13th time in his career.

(Video) Furious Alexander Zverev Accuses Australian Open of ‘Protecting’ Carlos Alcaraz After Spaniard Takes Medical Timeout for Cramps

Carlos Alcaraz (L) took a medical timeout during his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev (R) (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz HQ, The Tennis Letter, Game, Set & Talk)

Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set for the first time in this Australian Open. In his first semifinal Down Under on Friday (January 30) at Melbourne Park, Alcaraz suffered an injury, but Alexander Zverev thought he was cramping.

This happened when both were tied at 4-4 in the third set. Alcaraz pulled up on his serve, and the match stopped for a while, and this irked Zverev, who asked umpire Marijana Veljovic to start the countdown clock. Veljovic wanted to check if Alcaraz was alright, but Sascha shot back, “He’s cramping!“

Players cannot take a medical timeout for cramping. After winning the ninth game, Alcaraz finally took a medical timeout and was seen receiving treatment on his thigh. He also drank pickle juice, which is often used to treat cramps.

It’s unbelievable that he gets treated for cramps. This is bullsh*t. You’re protecting these two guys [Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner] all the time.

Alexander Zverev said

Watch the video here:

Zverev eventually lost the match in what was also the longest semifinal in the history of the Australian Open. The match ended in five hours and 27 minutes.

After losing the first two sets, Zverev dug deep to win the next two sets but failed to capitalize on the lead. Momentum kept shifting in the last set as the German, after leading 5-3, ended up squandering it and lost the match with a 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 scoreline.

Carlos Alcaraz will be playing his career’s first Australian Open final

Prior to this season, Carlos Alcaraz reached two Australian Open quarterfinals. In 2024, Alexander Zverev knocked him out in four sets, while last year Novak Djokovic did the same. En route to defeating Zverev in this event, the World No.1 upset home favorite Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals. Alcaraz will now be playing his first final in the Grand Slam Down Under.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

I am really happy to play my first final in Melbourne. It was something I was chasing a lot, pursuing a lot. Having the chance to fight for the title. I think it has been a great tournament so far, and my level is increasing a lot. But one thing I think I am going to say is I could not be here doing this interview right without you guys [the fans]. It was a pleasure playing in front of all of you. The way you pushed me back in the match… I am really grateful for the support.

Carlos Alcaraz told Jim Courier during the on-court interview

Alcaraz will face the winner of the second semifinal match between Djokovic and Jannik Sinner. The six-time Grand Slam champion locked horns with Sinner in three Grand Slam finals last year.

They met for the first time in the Roland Garros final, where the 22-year-old produced perhaps his career’s best performance. Then they clashed in the final of Wimbledon and the US Open. Sinner denied him the win at SW19, and Alcaraz stopped him from defending his title at Flushing Meadows.

It was Alcaraz whom Djokovic beat in the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics to win his career’s first gold medal. It was Djokovic whom Alcaraz beat in the semifinals of last year’s US Open. Alcaraz trails Djokovic 4-5 in head-to-head matchups, while against Sinner he holds a 10-6 lead.

If Alcaraz wins in the final, he will become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. Alcaraz has won each of the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open twice.

Also read: Elena Rybakina Makes Honest Admission on Controversial Coach Stefano Vukov After Reaching Australian Open Final