Boris Becker Comes to Alexander Zverev’s Defense After Carlos Alcaraz’s Medical Timeout for Cramp in Australian Open Semifinal
Carlos Alcaraz needs just one match win to become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam.
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Carlos Alcaraz, Boris Becker, Alexander Zverev (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Quindici Zero, Carlos Alcaraz Daily)
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Frustration got the better of Alexander Zverev when Carlos Alcaraz took a medical timeout for cramp after leading 2-0 during the tense Australian Open semifinal held on Friday (January 30). A medical timeout for injury is allowed, but not when a player deals with cramp.
After his heroic five-set win over the German, Alcaraz revealed at the press conference that he thought he injured his adductor muscle but didn’t deny suffering from cramps. Because the chair umpire allowed him time to get treatment, Zverev, in the heat of the moment, ended up accusing the tournament of “protecting” both Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Sascha, however, avoided answering what he thought about Alcaraz’s medical timeout in the press conference as he didn’t want this controversy to overshadow the incredible match that ended after five hours and 27 minutes, also the longest semifinal in the history of the Australian Open.
The tennis world, as expected, has started to debate and discuss the matter, and Boris Becker joined the critics in censuring the tournament, accusing it of bending the rules for the World No.1 and the World No.2.
Sascha is absolutely right. Anyone would have panicked at that point because he was winning. If Alcaraz had to keep playing, he wouldn’t have lasted. Alcaraz is a smart guy; he said he felt a slight pain, etc. A medical timeout is allowed. Of course, the referee can’t know that, nor can the head referee. You have to believe Alcaraz when he says he feels a pulling sensation, an injury, but the fact that three hours later it turned out to be a cramp and not an injury clearly shows that they played for a very long time.
Boris Becker told TNT Sports
Sinner was hit by full-body cramps while he was playing Eliot Spizzirri in the third round. When his difficulty in moving became quite evident, the chair umpire implemented the heat policy because the Heat Stress Scale reached five.
It’s a difficult situation, and Sascha is obviously referring to both players, so Sinner is protected, as is Alcaraz, both players. I can’t say anything about Sinner at the moment, but we need to keep an eye on the rules for Sinner and Alcaraz, as well as for the other players.
Boris Becker added
The three-time Grand Slam finalist finished last year’s Australian Open as the runner-up, losing in straight sets to Sinner.
Carlos Alcaraz sets up a blockbuster Australian Open final clash with Novak Djokovic
When it seemed there would be another Carlos Alcaraz versus Jannik Sinner Grand Slam final, 38-year-old Novak Djokovic dashed the hopes of those who wanted to witness the two youngsters battle it out on Sunday’s final by downing the two-time defending champion. The second semifinal on Saturday was no different than Alcaraz versus Alexander Zverev one.
Djokovic defied age and gave a befitting response to all those who wanted to see him close the most glorious chapter of his life. Both the veteran and the young gun are chasing history.
I was imagining really playing against Jannik and Carlos at the final stages of Grand Slams this year and battling it out, and really giving it all that I have, so very fortunate to already get in the first Slam of the year.
Novak Djokovic said at the press conference
If Alcaraz beats the Serb, he will become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. If Nole wins, he will break the tie with Margaret Court and become the 25-time Grand Slam champion. Djokovic will be hoping for a repeat of their clash in the 2024 Paris Olympics final.
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