“Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal would’ve never said such things” – When Jannik Sinner blasted Alexander Zverev for ‘fever’ excuse after loss

Jannik Sinner once criticized Alexander Zverev after a match in which Zverev attributed his defeat to illness, specifically a fever, rather than crediting Sinner’s performance. This incident occurred at the 2020 French Open, when Sinner, then an up-and-coming player, stunned the tennis world by defeating Zverev in the fourth round.

Following the loss, Zverev mentioned in his post-match interview that he had been dealing with a fever and other symptoms, suggesting that he wasn’t at his best physically during the match. Sinner, feeling that Zverev’s comments diminished his victory, expressed his frustration with the German’s remarks. He pointed out that legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal would have never made similar excuses after a loss, showing respect for their opponents regardless of their physical condition.

Sinner’s criticism highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and giving credit where it’s due. He believed that even when not feeling 100%, players should acknowledge their opponent’s performance instead of attributing a loss solely to personal issues. This moment became one of the early examples of Sinner’s growing confidence and maturity as he rose through the ranks of professional tennis.