Alexander Zverev, the world No. 2 and defending Italian Open champion, unleashed a sharp rebuke at a reporter following his second-round victory over Camilo Ugo Carabelli (6-2, 6-1) on May 9, 2025, at the Foro Italico. During the on-court interview, the reporter asked, “You’ve had a couple of early exits in the Masters this year, so how nice is it to get one under your belt here?” Zverev, visibly irritated, responded, “I mean, I didn’t, but you know, I won a tournament two weeks ago, so I don’t really like to think about it. It’s your job to think about stupid questions when the match is an hour long, so I’ll leave it up to you.” The comment, captured in a viral clip, ignited controversy, with fans and analysts split over his reaction.
Zverev’s frustration stemmed from the question’s implication that his 2025 season had been lackluster. While he did win the Munich Open in April, defeating Ben Shelton in the final, his Masters 1000 performances have been inconsistent, with no quarter-final appearances in Indian Wells (lost to Tallon Griekspoor, 2R), Miami (lost to Arthur Fils, 4R), Monte-Carlo (lost to Alejandro Tabilo, 2R), or Madrid (lost to Francisco Cerundolo, 4R). The reporter’s question, though not entirely inaccurate, overlooked his recent title, prompting the German’s defensive retort. His 22-8 season record, including a runner-up finish to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, supports his claim of solid form, yet his 4-4 Masters 1000 record underscores the critique.
The outburst divided opinions. Some fans defended Zverev’s authenticity, arguing the question was poorly timed after a dominant 66-minute win, with one user on X stating, “Zverev’s right, the reporter ignored his Munich title.” Others criticized his demeanor, calling it “needlessly harsh” and “cringe,” with a Reddit commenter noting, “He demands to be only praised by journalists.” Zverev’s history of contentious interactions, including a 2022 Mexican Open incident where he struck the umpire’s chair, fueled criticism of his professionalism.
Zverev’s focus now shifts to his fourth-round match against Arthur Fils, who holds a 2-1 head-to-head edge. As he aims to defend his Rome title and build momentum for Roland Garros, where he was the 2024 runner-up, this media spat risks lingering, potentially affecting his mental preparation on clay.[]
