Alexander Zverev has criticised the decision to allow Carlos Alcaraz a medical timeout during their Australian Open semi-final, calling it “bullshit”. The German world No 3 lost 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4) 7-5 in five hours and 27 minutes after Alcaraz received treatment for cramp late in the third set.
Tournament rules permit medical timeouts for injuries but not muscle cramps, though the decision is left to the attending physio and doctor. Alcaraz clutched his right groin and was moving gingerly before being allowed a timeout, during which he took on fluids—an indication of cramp. Zverev swore at an official at the time.
“He was cramping, so normally you can’t take a medical timeout for cramping,” Zverev said. “I just said it was bullshit, basically.” However, he later added: “I don’t want to talk about this right now, because I think this is one of the best battles there ever was in Australia. It doesn’t deserve to be the topic now.”
Alcaraz rallied to win and will face either Novak Djokovic or Jannik Sinner in the final. When asked about the timeout, he said: “Well, I feel tired. My body could be better, to be honest, but I think that’s normal after five hours and a half.” He credited his belief and heart for the comeback.
Zverev rued missed chances, particularly in the second set when he failed to capitalise on a break. “I don’t have many regrets in the fifth set, because I was hanging on for dear life,” he said. “But the second set… if I had gone up, being one set all, and him starting to cramp in the third set, that probably would have made a difference.”
