Carlos Alcaraz shows heart on camera after Alexander Zverev’s injury: ‘Happy for the final but feeling bad…’
Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2, displayed sportsmanship and empathy after defeating Alexander Zverev 4-6, 3-6 in the Cincinnati Open semifinals on August 17, 2025, writing a heartfelt message on a courtside camera: “Happy for the final. But feeling bad for Sascha 🙁 Wish you all the best” (www.express.co.uk, August 17, 2025). Zverev, battling dizziness and breathing difficulties during the match, required a medical timeout in the second set, struggling to continue due to Cincinnati’s oppressive heat, which exacerbated his condition. Zverev had revealed similar symptoms in his quarterfinal win over Ben Shelton, saying, “My head is spinning. I can’t get any air into my lungs” (www.hindustantimes.com, August 16, 2025).
The German’s health struggles, possibly linked to his ongoing respiratory issues and diabetes management, impacted his performance, allowing Alcaraz to capitalize and advance to his seventh consecutive ATP Tour final against Jannik Sinner (profootballnetwork.com, August 17, 2025). Despite the victory, Alcaraz’s post-match gesture highlighted their mutual respect, built through a competitive 6-5 head-to-head rivalry, with Zverev holding the edge from a 2024 ATP Finals win (tribuneindia.com, August 16, 2025). Fans on X praised Alcaraz’s compassion, with one post stating, “Alcaraz’s camera message to Zverev shows what a class act he is” (@TennisFan123, August 17, 2025).
The match, already intense due to a medical emergency in the stands during Alcaraz’s quarterfinal against Andrey Rublev, underscored the tournament’s challenging conditions, with multiple players, including Karen Khachanov, retiring due to heat-related issues (letsplaytennis.co.uk, August 15, 2025). Alcaraz’s own resilience was tested earlier, navigating an umpire dispute over an Evian bottle logo, yet he remained focused, crediting his form to intense preparation for the US Open (youtube.com, August 15, 2025).
Alcaraz’s empathy mirrors the camaraderie seen in other sports, like Emma Raducanu supporting Paula Badosa’s recovery or Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin’s teamwork for the Davis Cup. As Zverev faces uncertainty for the US Open, where he’s a top contender, Alcaraz’s gesture reflects the human side of competition, balancing his joy for reaching the final with genuine concern for his rival’s health.
