Zverev’s serving routine sparks controversy ahead of US Open final
Alexander Zverev has admitted he does not know why his lengthy serving routine has become more extreme after it annoyed Karen Khachanov during their US Open semi-final. The German booked his place in Sunday’s final against Ben Shelton by securing a 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium, reports BritPanorama.
Khachanov threatened to force his way back into the contest during the second and third sets but failed to capitalise on his opportunities. His latest defeat marked the third time he has fallen short in a Grand Slam semi-final.
However, it was Zverev’s habit of repeatedly bouncing the ball before serving that became a major talking point following the match. Khachanov claimed the routine made it difficult to prepare for the incoming serve and insisted he was not the only player who found it frustrating. “The way he bounces the ball, look, it annoys not only me, but, of course, a lot of players, because it takes so much time,” the Russian said.
Despite his irritation, Khachanov acknowledged that Zverev was entitled to continue with the routine provided he remained within the permitted time. “If it’s within the rules regarding the time, I cannot say anything against that, because it’s in the rules,” he added. “If he extends the time, he gets a time violation, simple as that.”
Chair umpire Damien Dumusois issued Zverev with one time violation towards the end of the opening set but did not punish him again. Khachanov refused to demand greater intervention during the match, arguing that monitoring the clock was the official’s responsibility. “It’s the job of the umpire to notice and be more aware, and actually take action,” he explained. “It’s up to him, not to me.”
Zverev was subsequently asked why the number of bounces had increased so dramatically during the tournament and insisted it was not a deliberate tactic. “I have no idea why,” the top seed admitted. “I’m not doing it on purpose! I saw the stat, I bounced it 12,000 times or something like that, it’s quite funny.”
He revealed that seeing the statistic before facing Khachanov had briefly prompted him to shorten the routine. “I think today it decreased because I saw it before the semi-final, so I was like, Ok, it’s got to go down,” he said. “But then I forget about it every once in a while, and then it goes up.” When pressed on what eventually tells him to stop bouncing the ball and begin his service motion, Zverev remained unable to offer an explanation. “No clue, honestly, really honestly, no idea,” he replied.
Shelton will now be the next player required to contend with that unpredictable routine when he faces Zverev for the US Open title on Sunday. In the swirling complexities of tennis, how players adapt to their opponents and situations can often reveal not just strategies but the beating heart of competition itself.
