Zverev has a history of not showing up for the biggest matches. Hopefully, this trend continues and the sport of tennis is spared the embarrassment. That said, it appears the current level of competition in men's tennis is worse than during the Big 3 era. The winner of this year's Roland Garros may be remembered more as a statistical anomaly (we see you Robin Soderling) than a tennis great.
Thank you Ben. Count me among the people who can't bear to watch when he's involved. I subscribed here simply because it's great tennis coverage that I like to read, but I really appreciate that this also seems to be the only tennis media I consume that actually takes this issue head on
While I'd rather not see That Guy win a slam (or have any success whatsoever), I'm also like "What does this prove?" if he does? That he wasn't abusive to the two former girlfriends who've credibly accused him of abuse? Or the ones who've stayed silent? That he isn't an allround a--hole? I believe the victims and I'll stick to rooting for anyone but him.
I am on a number of large tennis what's app groups and it seems pretty universal that the large majority are very uncomfortable with any match but the clear possibility of him reaching the final and winning is distressing. I doubt I will watch if he is in the final. It's just such an up yours to women that the ATP never addressed what happened properly.
I've made my peace with Zverev reaching the latter stages of tournaments, and have taken some pleasure in his long-standing commitment to falling just short. But seeing him embraced and celebrated as a worthy champion by the sport would be too much. I don't think I'll be able to watch.
Thank you, Ben. I won’t watch any of his matches and my first thought when Sinner went out was oh no that makes Z. the favourite. I am dismayed that none of the ATP seem to care about his behaviour and even voted him onto the player council.
Tennis is supposed to make me happy. I’m still not over Casper Ruud losing the second set. And the thought of Zverev winning is unbearable. Not very happy times.
The dark cloud that is Zverev is only one-half of the bad vibes that plague this year's French Open, which SHOULD be extremely exciting and amazing with Sincaraz out but now is nerve-racking with geopolitical and "are you a decent human?" stress. The women's side has become the Gazprom Open in every sense of the word. Two blatantly pro-Putin supporters in Shnaider and Andreeva; a Lukashenko affiliate in Sabalenka who doesn't have the guts to tell her dictator friend who she used to hug at events to stop celebrating her wins. Would have been nice to see Osaka or Cirstea or Keys do ANYTHING to stop the three Gazprom players, but they all fell short. Kostyuk has the weight of the world and of all decent humans' values on her shoulders; please save us, Marta!
Anyway, back to Zverev: I have no idea who can stop him. He would be the No. 1 player in the world if we didn't have Sincaraz, and he's making that clear at Roland Garros. Jodar almost had him in the first set today; it was brutal to watch his tiebreak collapse. Mensik, Cobolli, ANYONE, please step up. (Note: Taylor Fritz, who is also Z's kryptonite along with Sincaraz, would be great to have back right now in form. Missing you, Taylor!)
Don’t know if Taylor on Clay would be as potent against Zverev. I’m hoping Mensik takes him out. He played him close in Madrid and he was sharp today against Fonseca. 🤞🏽
Great article Ben, per usual. A great tennis player but a horrible human. Perhaps he'll have another '22 FO experience. Couldn't happen to someone more deserving. May the Tennis Gods be with Fonseca and FAA.
Like the other commenters, I will be dismayed should Zverev win. If he’s in the final, which seems likely, my French Open will end after the Women’s final on Saturday. I’ll then start looking forward to grass season, which doesn’t favor Zverev as much as clay does.
Anyone but Zverev. In what other sport would I watch hundreds of hours only to skip the final? I feel let down by the atp and their lack of action. At least educate the men on the impact of domestic violence and shift the culture a millimetre
I'm clinging to my hope/belief that he just won't be able to stand the pressure of this moment. It bothers me so much that he's even allowed to compete.
Thanks for verbalizing what so many of us are feeling. One of fonseca or mensik must do the lord’s work in two days time.
Zverev has a history of not showing up for the biggest matches. Hopefully, this trend continues and the sport of tennis is spared the embarrassment. That said, it appears the current level of competition in men's tennis is worse than during the Big 3 era. The winner of this year's Roland Garros may be remembered more as a statistical anomaly (we see you Robin Soderling) than a tennis great.
My slight concern is he gets Cobolli in the final who also has a bit of a closing issue
Yeah I don’t really trust anyone from that side of the draw
Thank you Ben. Count me among the people who can't bear to watch when he's involved. I subscribed here simply because it's great tennis coverage that I like to read, but I really appreciate that this also seems to be the only tennis media I consume that actually takes this issue head on
#anyone but zverev. From 🏴
While I'd rather not see That Guy win a slam (or have any success whatsoever), I'm also like "What does this prove?" if he does? That he wasn't abusive to the two former girlfriends who've credibly accused him of abuse? Or the ones who've stayed silent? That he isn't an allround a--hole? I believe the victims and I'll stick to rooting for anyone but him.
I am on a number of large tennis what's app groups and it seems pretty universal that the large majority are very uncomfortable with any match but the clear possibility of him reaching the final and winning is distressing. I doubt I will watch if he is in the final. It's just such an up yours to women that the ATP never addressed what happened properly.
I've made my peace with Zverev reaching the latter stages of tournaments, and have taken some pleasure in his long-standing commitment to falling just short. But seeing him embraced and celebrated as a worthy champion by the sport would be too much. I don't think I'll be able to watch.
Thank you, Ben. I won’t watch any of his matches and my first thought when Sinner went out was oh no that makes Z. the favourite. I am dismayed that none of the ATP seem to care about his behaviour and even voted him onto the player council.
Thanks for never wavering on this point. It nauseates me to see him celebrated, even as a runner-up.
Tennis is supposed to make me happy. I’m still not over Casper Ruud losing the second set. And the thought of Zverev winning is unbearable. Not very happy times.
The dark cloud that is Zverev is only one-half of the bad vibes that plague this year's French Open, which SHOULD be extremely exciting and amazing with Sincaraz out but now is nerve-racking with geopolitical and "are you a decent human?" stress. The women's side has become the Gazprom Open in every sense of the word. Two blatantly pro-Putin supporters in Shnaider and Andreeva; a Lukashenko affiliate in Sabalenka who doesn't have the guts to tell her dictator friend who she used to hug at events to stop celebrating her wins. Would have been nice to see Osaka or Cirstea or Keys do ANYTHING to stop the three Gazprom players, but they all fell short. Kostyuk has the weight of the world and of all decent humans' values on her shoulders; please save us, Marta!
Anyway, back to Zverev: I have no idea who can stop him. He would be the No. 1 player in the world if we didn't have Sincaraz, and he's making that clear at Roland Garros. Jodar almost had him in the first set today; it was brutal to watch his tiebreak collapse. Mensik, Cobolli, ANYONE, please step up. (Note: Taylor Fritz, who is also Z's kryptonite along with Sincaraz, would be great to have back right now in form. Missing you, Taylor!)
Don’t know if Taylor on Clay would be as potent against Zverev. I’m hoping Mensik takes him out. He played him close in Madrid and he was sharp today against Fonseca. 🤞🏽
Great article Ben, per usual. A great tennis player but a horrible human. Perhaps he'll have another '22 FO experience. Couldn't happen to someone more deserving. May the Tennis Gods be with Fonseca and FAA.
A collective 'ugh' from us all, so brilliantly described!
#AnyoneButZverev
Like the other commenters, I will be dismayed should Zverev win. If he’s in the final, which seems likely, my French Open will end after the Women’s final on Saturday. I’ll then start looking forward to grass season, which doesn’t favor Zverev as much as clay does.
Anyone but Zverev. In what other sport would I watch hundreds of hours only to skip the final? I feel let down by the atp and their lack of action. At least educate the men on the impact of domestic violence and shift the culture a millimetre
I'm clinging to my hope/belief that he just won't be able to stand the pressure of this moment. It bothers me so much that he's even allowed to compete.
Well said. I hope Laver Cup stops propping him up.