Alexander Zverev Issues Another Scathing Criticism About the Davis Cup Format

Alexander Zverev helped Germany overcome Argentina in the Davis Cup quarter-finals clash in Bologna.

Alexander Zverev Issues Another Scathing Criticism About the Davis Cup Format

Alexander Zverev (via X)

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Alexander Zverev has yet again criticized the Davis Cup Finals format after helping Germany seal its place in the semi-finals of the competition. The 28-year-old has been very vocal about the tournament’s new format since arriving in Bologna for the event. He hopes it doesn’t affect his commitment to his country on the court.

Zverev is the leading figure in the German team at the Davis Cup Finals and proved it on the court on Thursday (November 20) as he dragged his team from behind to beat Argentina. The quarter-finals clash began with Argentina earning the upper hand after World No.60 Tomas Etcheverry defeated Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets.

But Zverev revived Germany’s chances of reaching the last four by overcoming Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 7-6(3). Then in the decisive doubles match, the German duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz overcame Horacio Zeballos and Andres Molteni 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(10) in two hours and thirty-one minutes after saving three match points.

The two consecutive wins for Germany helped them out Argentina 2-1 in a thrilling contest. Meanwhile, Zverev is the only top 10 player participating at the tournament, following Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Lorenzo Musetti’s withdrawal. Alcaraz pulled out of the tournament due to injury, while Musetti withdrew due to a combination of physical and family reasons.

Zverev, being the highest-ranking player, has been a vocal critic of the Davis Cup Finals format. He revealed last week that the tournament was supposed to be hosted in a neutral ground or played in a home-and-away format, rather than playing in Italy, who are currently the defending champions of the tournament. On Thursday (November 20), he issued another criticism during his press conference:

I will always do that. I will always play at 100%. I will always support my team. But it’s maybe a little bit sad that this kind of match and the doubles, maybe maximum a thousand people in the stadium. If we play in Argentina or Germany, there will be maybe 15,000 people. In that regard, I think it’s a bit sad. Now I’m here and I will do everything I can to make Germany win.

The International Tennis Federation oversees the Davis Cup and recently defended its current format. The Davis Cup CEO Ross Hutchins revealed that it is the best format for the tournament, but noted that they are Open to possible changes in the future after some players suggested that the event should be staged every two years to attract more top players.

Alexander Zverev believes Francisco Cerundolo is supposed to be ranked higher on tour

Alexander Zverev had previously always struggled against Francisco Cerundolo on the court. He lost their first three meetings on tour, including their clash in the round of 16 of the Madrid Open. But, since the Canadian Open, where the Argentine star retired in the second set, the 28-year-old has now found the main key to beating Cerundolo.

Alexander Zverev and Francisco Cerundolo (via X/ATP/Bunny)
Alexander Zverev and Francisco Cerundolo (via X/ATP/Bunny)

During his press conference at the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Zverev praised Cerundolo for his performance against him. The German star added that the Argentine is supposed to be ranked higher than World No.21, which is his current ranking in the ATP:

I think the whole Argentinian team, I know Francisco very well, I know Tommy very well, they’re two of the nicest guys on tour. They’re incredibly nice. For me, my personal opinion, you can take it as a compliment, you can take it maybe as a negative thing, but for me, Francisco should be higher in the ranking than he is. He should find something inside of him that is the reason and work on that.

Cerundolo’s career-high ranking is World No.18. He’s known to be a tough opponent on his good day on the court, but has lacked consistency. With just three tour-level titles to his name, he has never gone beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam.

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