Alexander Zverev calls out 'vile' fan act in disgusting US Open drama
The tennis world has been left in shock over the crowd drama at the US Open.
Alexander Zverev has confronted a tennis spectator after alleging an 'unacceptable' Hitler phrase was used while in his round of 16 match against Jannik Sinner at the US Open. The German No.12 seed was in an epic battle with Italian Sinner in the fourth set with the match going well into the early hours of the morning.
And just before his serve, Zverev stopped in shock before he walked over to the chair umpire to point out a spectator that had yelled something out. "He just said the most Hitler phrase there is. That is unacceptable," Zverev said to the chair umpire, while pointing to the crowd.
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The chair umpire acted immediately. James Keothavong turned around to try and identify who allegedly said the phrase. After the game security escorted a fan out of the arena to the applause of spectators.
Zverev remained steadfast after the incident and managed to hold serve, but the tennis community rounded on the scenes. Fans were left absolutely livid at the 'disgusting' crowd act in the fourth set.
A number of players have increasingly called out the fans during the US Open with Daniil Medvedev one to point out that fans have been very vocal the further the night session extends. Regardless, the tennis world reacted to the bizarre scenes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Zverev to the umpire. "He just said the most famous Hitler phrase there is".
Fan about to be removed. pic.twitter.com/QhxPjyNFO4— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 5, 2023
Fan ejected just now for shouting a vile nazi phrase in the Sinner-Zverev match. Good for security and for Zverev for objecting. And of course the fan was in one of the pricey seats. #USOpen2023
— Elizabeth Vargas (@EVargasTV) September 5, 2023
There’s been a lot of bizarre moments at the US Open night matches but this moment with Zverev and this fan is jaw-dropping
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) September 5, 2023
#USOpen #Zverev #Sinner. https://t.co/vpjIlqvBuz pic.twitter.com/yNppRHaPOq
— Larry FooteSack (@atxhobogrl) September 5, 2023
Alexander Zverev tells chair umpire James Keothavong: "He said the most famous Hitler quote. This is unacceptable"
James Keothavong then yells back at the crowd: "Who said that? Who said that"
And a particular fan is about to be ejected.#USOpen— Tanuj Lakhina (@tanujlakhina) September 5, 2023
Some disgusting behavior from that spectator there. Good on Zverev for standing his ground. #USOpen
— ヨルダンプロバンス (Jordan Provencial) (@DuckTheIrishman) September 5, 2023
While the bizarre scenes marred the fourth set, the tennis between Sinner and Zverev was outstanding. Zverev took the first set 6-4 in a dispklay of power-hitting and big serving, before Sinner bounced back.
Sinner struggled with cramps at the end of the third set and appeared to be in big trouble. Although he didn't give up and was able to level the match as the pair headed into a fifth-set thriller. And after a break of serve in the fifth, Zverev wrapped-up the match at 1.30am local time to reach the quarter-final where he will take on Carlos Alcaraz.
Daniil Medvedev thanks crowd after US Open drama
Earlier in the day after his victory against Aussie Alex de Minaur, Medvedev thanked the crowd for acting 'respectful' throughout their match. Medvedev has had plenty of back-and-forth interactions with the US Open crowd over the years and the 2023 tournament has been no different.
He recently took aim at a number of fans who left their seat when he was about to serve. In his last match, Medvedev claimed a fan had been yelling between his first and second serve.
Daniil Medvedev on his relationship with US Open crowd:
“I don’t know what’s the difference between today & some other days. I want to thank you guys.. It was super respectful. Almost no one shouted between 1st & 2nd serves.. Hopefully it’s gonna be you guys on Wednesday” 😂 pic.twitter.com/LJgFPSGFGe— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 5, 2023
Although after his four-set battle with de Minaur, Medvedev praised the latest fans that had come out to see him play. "I don't know what's the difference between today and some other days. I want to thank you guys," he said.
"It was super respectful. Almost no one shouted between my first and second serves. I felt like everyone was enjoying the points. So thank you."
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