"Alexander Zverev is a loser"; "So desperate" - Fans blast German for alleging favoritism toward Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner at Shanghai Masters

Fans online reacted after Alexander Zverev called out Shanghai Masters organizers over slow court conditions after his Round of 64 win over Valentin Royer on Saturday. The German tennis player also accused the tournament directors of favoring Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner with similar surfaces.

Zverev's claim echoed Roger Federer's controversial remarks during the Laver Cup last month. The Swiss legend made a similar claim during his appearance on Andy Roddick's podcast, "Served". Federer said that tournament directors prefer Sinner and Alcaraz in the final to benefit the sport.

Speaking during his post-match on-court interview, Zverev cleared his frustration with the slow surface and also made a bold claim involving his on-court rivals.

"I hate when [court speeds are] the same," Zverev said. "And I know that the tournament directors are going in that direction because obviously they want Jannik and Carlos to do well every tournament. We always had different surfaces.

"You couldn't play the same tennis the same way on a grass court, hard court and a clay court. Nowadays, you can play almost the same way on every surface."

Christian's Court

@christianscourt

Alexander Zverev echoes Federer's sentiments when asked about the slower court speeds in Shanghai this year after his R2 win: "I hate when [court speeds are] the same. And I know that the tournament directors are going towards that direction because obviously they want Jannik

However, a section of fans online slammed Zverev's claim with their reaction in comments on the above X post. One user wrote:

"Zverev just looking for excuses because he knows he can't really beat Alcaraz or Sinner anymore and won't win any slam," one fan said.

Philly

@PW879

@christianscourt Zverev just looking for excuses because he knows he can't really beat Alcaraz or Sinner anymore and won't win any slam.

Here are a few fans' reactions to Alexander Zverev's claim:

black & blue

@LagosBlood

@christianscourt brother can’t handle the fact that he will forever be no match for those two hahahaha

Grant Erbersdobler

@MrsGrantina81

@christianscourt Carlos did well at Cincinnati, Tokyo, and USO. All three were considered medium fast. Queens also is fast. They do well every tournament because they are just better than the others PERIOD. Carlos also is not tall compared to the rest, so he wins in different ways.

Rainbow

@rainbowncats

@christianscourt Jannik and Carlos' level is much higher than their rivals, which is why they end up reaching the final on every surface.Zverev should focus on performing better rather than making excuses. However,Sinner is known to prefer faster courts, so this reasoning doesn't make much sense.

Alessandro 🎾🏆🏆🏆🏆

@alessandro_a_v_

@christianscourt It doesn't seem like courts are all the same. Shanghai is the only one that has slowed down

Yyxtine2

@yyxtine2

@christianscourt Do you need many references that probably a lot of kept after Federer 'statement that was proven wrong by data .. I guess zverev didnt look at the data

Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner was quick to respond to Alexander Zverev's claims about tournament directors favoring him and Carlos Alcaraz at the Shanghai Masters.

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"I'm not making the courts" - Jannik Sinner addresses Alexander Zverev's claim

Jannik Sinner kicked off the campaign at the 2025 Shanghai Masters with an easy Round of 64 win over unseeded Daniel Altmaier. The Italian is looking to close the gap in ATP singles rankings after Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal from the tournament due to injury.

After his 6-3, 6-3 win over Altmair on Saturday, Sinner responded to Alexander Zverev's claim about courts in the post-match press conference. Playing down the German's remarks about slow surfaces, the former World No. 1 said he has played 'great tennis' on the faster courts as well.

"You know, me and Carlos, we don't make the courts," Sinner said (via ASAP Sports) "It's not our decision. We try to adapt ourself in every situation. I feel like still every week is a bit different.

"I've played some great tennis even when it was faster courts. But I'm not making the courts, you know, so I just try to adapt and play my best tennis I can, and that's it."

Sinner is the defending champion at the Shanghai Masters and is tipped favorite in the absence of Alcaraz. Novak Djokovic and Zverev will look to challenge the four-time Grand Slam winner to claim their maiden ATP 1000 title of the 2025 season.