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'This is awful': Tennis world in shock over Alexander Zverev drama

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Alexander Zverev, pictured here after his defeat to Holger Rune at the Madrid Open.
Alexander Zverev was at a loss after his defeat to Holger Rune at the Madrid Open. Image: Getty

The tennis world was left in complete shock on Wednesday after World No.3 Alexander Zverev was dumped out of the Munich Open in a first-up thrashing.

Zverev's poor start to the season continued in Munich, with the Olympic champion suffering a shock defeat to Danish teenager Holger Rune 6-3 6-2.

A two-time winner of the event, Zverev had received a bye in the first round because he was the top seed.

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But the World No.3 had no answers on Wednesday to the promising 18-year-old Rune, who sits at No.70 in the rankings.

A stunned crowd on centre court could hardly believe how much he was dominated by the Dane, especially with drop shots.

Zverev also made a host of unforced errors en route to defeat in just over 90 minutes on Rune's second match point.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the spectators, I'm sorry for the tournament," Zverev said in his press conference, burying his face in his hands on a number of occasions.

"It was my worst match in the last five, six, seven years.

Alexander Zverev, pictured here despondent in his post-match press conference.
Alexander Zverev was despondent in his post-match press conference. Image: Getty

"He's a good player, but I would have lost to anyone today.

"If I try to find an excuse now, I'm not the smartest person in the world.

"I was incredibly nervous today before the match. It was my first time in Germany in front of a crowd for years."

Zverev hasn't won a single title so far this season and hit the headlines in February when he smashed his racquet into the umpire's chair in Mexico.

He was subsequently kicked out of the tournament, fined and given a suspended ban.

Alexander Zverev, pictured here after his shock loss to Holger Rune in Munich.
Alexander Zverev leaves the court after his shock loss to Holger Rune in Munich. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images)

Tennis world in shock over Alexander Zverev upset

It was Rune's first win against a top-10 player - and it looks as if it won't be his last.

The teenager broke in the second game to lead 3-0. At 5-3 he had six set points, squandering four of them on unforced errors.

Zverev then saved the fifth with a winner, before Rune converted the sixth by putting away a volley.

Rune again broke straight away in the second set and broke again to lead 5-1, before going on with the victory.

Holger Rune, pictured here after his victory over Alexander Zverev at the Munich Open.
Holger Rune celebrates his victory over Alexander Zverev at the Munich Open. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images)

"He's in the top three in the world and has been playing some unbelievable tennis," Rune said in his on-court interview.

"I obviously didn't expect to win in two sets, and with a score like this.

"But it was a really hard match, we played a lot of rallies and I'm really happy about my performance."

While Rune had won the opening match in each of his last four main-draw appearances, this is the first time this year he has won two matches in a row at an ATP tournament.

Rune, who turns 19 on Friday, will meet Finn Emil Ruusuvuori, ranked 63rd in the world, in the quarter-finals.

Tennis fans and commentators were left in complete disbelief over the upset.

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