“Alexander Zverev on Philippe Chatrier instead of Jannik Sinner” – Fans outraged as World No. 1 snubbed from French Open main court
**Fans Outraged as Jannik Sinner Snubbed for Court Philippe-Chatrier at 2025 French Open**
Tennis fans expressed outrage over the 2025 French Open scheduling decision to place world No. 3 Alexander Zverev on the prestigious Court Philippe-Chatrier instead of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the third round on May 31, 2025, per sportskeeda.com. The snub, which saw Sinner relegated to Court Suzanne-Lenglen, sparked heated reactions on X, with fans calling it “disrespectful” and “farcical,” while drawing parallels to the resilience of athletes like Aryna Sabalenka and Luke Littler navigating their own challenges.
**The Scheduling Controversy**
On Day 7, Court Philippe-Chatrier featured four third-round matches: Jessica Pegula vs. Marketa Vondrousova, Zverev vs. Flavio Cobolli, Coco Gauff vs. Marie Bouzkova, and Novak Djokovic vs. qualifier Filip Misolic in the night session, per sportskeeda.com. Sinner, facing Jiri Lehecka, was scheduled on Suzanne-Lenglen, alongside Jack Draper vs. João Fonseca, per radiotimes.com. Fans on X, like @Duttasayak10, questioned, “Sinner the world #1 gets some third major court but #3 Zverev and #6 Novak gets Philippe Chatrier???” while @AmyWhite110 called it a uniquely French decision, per,. @FalakRF labeled it a self-inflicted wound for the sport, per.
**Fan Reactions and Perceived Bias**
The decision fueled accusations of favoritism. @moneyformonarch called it “foutage de gueule” (mockery), preferring Sinner or Arthur Fils on Chatrier, per. Another fan, @FacileProno, deemed the organizers “fou” (crazy), per. Some, like @moneyformonarch, lamented attending Chatrier expecting Sinner, per. A particularly charged post claimed the scheduling showed bias toward “Serbians” like Djokovic, alleging, “Can establishment stop showing favoritism?” per sportskeeda.com. However, Sinner’s match against retiring Richard Gasquet on Chatrier the previous day (6-3, 6-0, 6-4) suggests selective outrage, per channelnewsasia.com.
**Sinner and Zverev’s Context**
Sinner, the 2025 Australian Open and Davis Cup champion, has dominated with a 33-2 record, including 11-1 on clay, per tennistonic.com. His French Open run included wins over Christopher Eubanks (6-3, 6-3, 6-4) and Gasquet, per tennistonic.com. Zverev, a 2024 French Open finalist, defeated Rafael Nadal in the first round (6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3) and Jesper de Jong (3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3), extending an 11-match clay win streak, per espn.com. Zverev’s high-profile status, despite off-court controversies resolved in 2024, likely influenced his Chatrier placement, per apnews.com.
**Parallels to Resilience**
The scheduling snub echoes other athletes’ challenges. Sabalenka’s defense of Djokovic against retirement talk and her bond with him reflect navigating external pressures, per express.co.uk. Littler’s defiant gestures amid Premier League Darts boos and Raducanu’s grass season focus show similar resilience, per GBNews.com, Bolavip.com. Sinner, unfazed, told reporters he accepts home crowd support for locals like Gasquet, per channelnewsasia.com.
**Conclusion**
Fans slammed the 2025 French Open for scheduling Alexander Zverev on Court Philippe-Chatrier over world No. 1 Jannik Sinner on May 31, calling it “disrespectful,” per sportskeeda.com,. X posts highlighted perceived bias, though Sinner’s prior Chatrier appearance tempers the outrage, per channelnewsasia.com. Like Sabalenka’s advocacy, Littler’s defiance, and Raducanu’s perseverance, Sinner’s focus remains unshaken. Sinner faces Lehecka, and Zverev plays Cobolli on May 31, live on TNT Sports.
