Frustrations Boil at China Open As Alexander Zverev Slams Racket Mid-match in Shocking Defeat to Daniil Medvedev
World No. 3 Alexander Zverev’s campaign at the 2025 China Open ended in dramatic fashion on September 29, as the German star suffered a straight-sets quarterfinal loss to Daniil Medvedev, 3-6, 3-6, amid a visible meltdown that included smashing his racket and yelling at his father-coach. The 1-hour-and-22-minute clash on the Diamond Court saw Zverev, the second seed, unravel under pressure from the resurgent Russian, extending Medvedev’s dominance in their rivalry and sparking widespread discussion about Zverev’s mental state in big matches. This defeat marks Zverev’s fifth straight loss to Medvedev, highlighting a frustrating season for the 28-year-old despite his consistent deep runs.
The Match: A One-Sided Affair
Zverev entered as the favorite but struggled from the outset against Medvedev’s precise baseline game and defensive prowess. The first set slipped away 6-3 after Zverev failed to capitalize on early opportunities, with Medvedev breaking once and saving all break points faced. The second set offered brief hope, tied at 3-3, but Medvedev broke for 4-3 with a clinical passing shot. Zverev, unable to mount pressure on Medvedev’s serve (winning just 14% of return points), collapsed in the decider, committing 24 unforced errors overall against Medvedev’s efficient 86% first-serve win rate. This was Medvedev’s first Top 5 hard-court win since 2023, propelling him to his third consecutive Beijing semifinal.
The Incident: Racket Smash and Outburst
Frustration peaked in the second set after Medvedev’s break to 4-3. Zverev hurled his racket to the ground with such force that it skidded across the court, drawing a code violation and gasps from the crowd. Earlier, Zverev directed his anger toward his father, Alexander Sr., who doubles as his coach, yelling, “Why the f**k are you laughing?” from the court—a rare public display of tension in their close-knit team. The outburst did little to spark a comeback; instead, it underscored Zverev’s ongoing struggles with composure under duress, a theme in his 2025 campaign marked by injuries and upsetsRivalry Context: Medvedev’s Dominance
This result updates their head-to-head to 14-7 in Medvedev’s favor, with the Russian winning the last five encounters since Zverev’s victory at the 2023 Cincinnati Open. Early in their rivalry, Zverev led 4-0, but Medvedev flipped the script starting with a 2019 Shanghai win. Post-match, Medvedev reflected modestly: “He had only, I think, one game on my serve where he put a lot of pressure on me and luckily I made a great game to save it. And other than that, I think I put a lot of pressure on him, played great and I’m happy to win.”
Zverev’s 2025 Season: Highs and Lows
At 28, Zverev has shown grit but inconsistency. His lone title came at the BMW Open in April, followed by a string of early exits amid a nagging back injury that required an injection before his Moutet win (7-5, 3-6, 6-3) in Beijing. He admitted post-Moutet: “I had some pain… didn’t feel good physically.” Despite reaching the French Open final (lost to Carlos Alcaraz), Zverev’s year includes mixed results, like a Halle semifinal loss to Medvedev. Medvedev, meanwhile, is chasing his first title since 2023, with this win boosting his 29-19 record.
| Tournament/Match | Result | Key Highlight |
|——————|——–|—————|
| China Open QF vs. Medvedev | Loss 3-6, 3-6 | Racket smash at 3-4 in second set; yelled at father. |
| China Open R16 vs. Moutet | Win 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 | Overcame back pain; Moutet smashed own racket. |
| Halle SF vs. Medvedev (June 2025) | Loss 6-7(3), 7-6(1), 4-6 | Last meeting; three-set thriller. |
| BMW Open (April 2025) | Champion | Lone title of season amid injury woes. |
| French Open Final | Loss to Alcaraz | Career-best Slam run despite form dips. |
#### Fan and Analyst Reactions: Sympathy and Concern
Social media buzzed with empathy for Zverev’s visible distress, with fans noting his injury battles: “Zverev’s body and mind are betraying him—heartbreaking to watch.” Analysts pointed to mental fragility, one tweeting: “That racket smash says it all; Zverev needs a reset before Shanghai.” Others praised Medvedev’s poise: “Daniil is back—clinical win over a top rival.”
#### Looking Ahead
Medvedev advances to face the winner of Andrey Rublev vs. Bu Yunchaokete in the semifinals, eyeing his first title in two years. Zverev heads to the Shanghai Masters 1000 starting October 3, where he’ll aim to regroup amid questions about his form and fitness. At 28, with a Grand Slam final under his belt this year, Zverev’s talent is undeniable—but incidents like this highlight the fine line between frustration and focus in his pursuit of elusive major glory.
