“This cannot be real wtf”;”Is this even allowed” – Fans baffled by Alexander Zverev’s ‘joke’ Vienna Open draw ft. Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev
### Fans Baffled by Alexander Zverev’s “Easy” Vienna Open Draw Featuring Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev
The draw for the 2025 Erste Bank Open in Vienna, an ATP 500 event kicking off on October 20, has ignited a storm of controversy and memes after Alexander Zverev landed in what many are calling the “easiest” quarterfinal section in recent memory. The world No. 3 German, who won the tournament in 2021, faces two qualifiers in the first and second rounds before a potential third-round clash with fellow qualifier Ryan Peniston—leaving his path to the quarterfinals remarkably clear. But it’s his quarter of the draw, packed with world No. 2 Jannik Sinner and No. 6 Daniil Medvedev, that has fans scratching their heads and joking about “restraining orders” and “rigged” brackets. Social media erupted with reactions like “This cannot be real wtf” and “Is this even allowed,” with some users reviving Zverev’s recent conspiracy theory about tournament directors favoring Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz by slowing court speeds.
#### Zverev’s “Cushy” Path: Two Qualifiers Before Potential Quarterfinal Fireworks
Zverev, seeded second behind Sinner, opens against a qualifier, followed by another qualifier in the second round. A third-round matchup with Peniston (world No. 157) would be his first ranked opponent, setting up a potential quarterfinal against the winner of Sinner vs. Alexander Bublik. Medvedev lurks in the same quarter, potentially facing Zverev in the semifinals if both advance. The full quarter breakdown for Zverev:
– **R1**: Qualifier
– **R2**: Qualifier
– **R3**: Ryan Peniston (if he wins R2 vs. qualifier)
– **QF**: Jannik Sinner (vs. Daniel Altmaier) or Alexander Bublik (vs. Flavio Cobolli/Tomas Machac)
– **SF**: Daniil Medvedev (vs. Tommy Paul) or Andrey Rublev (vs. Cameron Norrie)
This setup has fans quipping about Zverev needing a “restraining order against Alexander Bublik” in Sinner’s path, referencing Bublik’s 2025 upset over Sinner in Halle. One viral X post read: “Zverev’s quarter: 2 qualifiers, then Sinner/Medvedev? Meanwhile de Minaur gets Rublev in R3. Rigged? 😂” (150k likes). The draw’s release on October 18 amplified Zverev’s recent Shanghai rant, where he accused organizers of slowing courts to favor Sinner and Alcaraz, losing 6-4, 6-3 to Arthur Rinderknevic in the quarters.
#### Fan Reactions: “This Cannot Be Real WTF” and “Is This Even Allowed?”
Social media exploded with memes and outrage, with the draw’s lopsidedness becoming fodder for Zverev’s critics:
– “This cannot be real wtf” – A post highlighting Zverev’s qualifiers vs. de Minaur’s R2 vs. Rublev (No. 8), gaining 100k retweets.
– “Is this even allowed” – Users joked about Zverev’s “protected” path, tying it to his Shanghai conspiracy: “Zverev complained about rigged courts, now rigged draw? Karma.”
– “Jannik Sinner, it’s time to get a restraining order against Alexander Bublik” – A fan tweet mocking Sinner’s potential QF vs. Bublik, who beat him in Halle, with 50k likes.
The quarter also features Medvedev (No. 6 seed vs. Tommy Paul) and Rublev (No. 7 vs. Cameron Norrie), meaning Zverev could face three top-10 players in succession if he advances—ironic given his “easy” start. De Minaur (No. 3 seed) drew Andrey Rublev in R3, while Lorenzo Musetti (No. 4) faces Daniil Medvedev in R3, highlighting the imbalance.
#### The Draw’s Context: Zverev’s Shanghai Controversy
Zverev’s “easy” quarter reignites his Shanghai outburst, where after a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Rinderknevic, he accused directors of slowing courts to favor Sinner and Alcaraz: “Tournament directors want Jannik and Carlos to do well every tournament.” Fans tied it to the Vienna draw: “Zverev’s quarter is rigged—Sinner and Medvedev to ‘test’ him after qualifiers? Sure.” Zverev, 2021 Vienna champ, enters defending no points but aiming to rebound from Shanghai’s early exit.
Sinner, the 2023 Vienna winner, opens vs. Daniel Altmaier (R1 rematch from Shanghai, where Sinner won 6-3, 6-4). Medvedev (No. 6) faces Tommy Paul, while de Minaur (No. 3) starts vs. Jurij Rodionov, potentially facing Rublev in R3.
#### Tournament Details: Vienna Open 2025
– **Dates**: October 20-26, 2025
– **Surface**: Indoor hard
– **Prize Money**: £2.1 million (ATP 500)
– **Seeds**: 1. Jannik Sinner, 2. Alexander Zverev, 3. Alex de Minaur, 4. Lorenzo Musetti, 5. Karen Khachanov, 6. Daniil Medvedev, 7. Andrey Rublev, 8. Alexander Bublik
– **Broadcast**: Tennis Channel (US), Sky Sports (UK)
Fans’ “baffled” reactions highlight tennis’s dramatic draws, but Zverev’s path is a golden ticket—if he navigates the qualifiers. As Vienna begins, the jokes fly; the battle’s real. The quarter’s a powder keg; Zverev’s fuse is lit.
