Alexander Zverev’s ‘Horrible’ Comment and Miami Open Rivalry With Jordan Thompson
Alexander Zverev has earned a spot in the next round of the Miami Open, but his path to victory won’t be easy. After a solid 6-2, 6-4 win over British No. 3 Jacob Fearnley, the German star is set to face Australian Jordan Thompson—an opponent he has struggled against in the past.
Despite his superior ranking, Zverev holds a disappointing 2-5 head-to-head record against Thompson, making this an unpredictable showdown. Their rivalry has had its heated moments, with frustrations boiling over on more than one occasion.
Zverev’s ‘Horrible’ Comment After Japan Open Loss
One of their most notable encounters took place at the 2023 Japan Open, where Thompson stunned the then-world No. 9 Zverev with a dominant 6-3, 6-4 victory. While Thompson celebrated his underdog triumph, Zverev expressed frustration, harshly criticizing his own performance.
“Today I played horrible,” Zverev admitted after the match. “He played quite good, he served well, but it was just a very, very bad match for me. I don’t know what to say.”
Thompson, on the other hand, credited his unpredictable playing style for rattling Zverev early on. “I fought off 0-40 in the first game, and that really got me into the match. I think he didn’t handle it well in the first set and adapted in the second, but I managed to hang in there,” he said.
Thompson’s Controversial Umpire Clash at the Canadian Open
Another dramatic moment in their history unfolded at the 2024 Canadian Open, where Zverev finally managed to secure a rare win against Thompson. The German dominated the match, winning 6-1, 6-1, but controversy struck on match point.
While serving to stay in the match, Thompson’s cap fell off mid-point, causing him to stop playing. Zverev, unaware, hit a forehand winner, sealing the victory. Thompson immediately protested, expecting the point to be replayed. However, the umpire ruled that because the hat did not interfere with Zverev, the point stood, and the match was over.
Despite Zverev offering to replay the point, the umpire refused. A frustrated Thompson exchanged words with the official before shaking hands with both the German and the umpire—though the latter avoided eye contact.
What’s Next?
Now, with their heated history in mind, all eyes are on Zverev and Thompson’s upcoming Miami Open clash. Can the German finally turn the tide in their head-to-head battle, or will Thompson once again get the better of him?
Let us know your predictions! 👇
