Rennae Stubbs slates Alexander Zverev and claims he’s done something which Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer never would
Rennae Stubbs, Serena Williams’ former coach, sharply criticized Alexander Zverev for his behavior during a press conference at the Italian Open on May 17, 2025, accusing him of conduct that Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer would never exhibit. According to Tennis World USA and Tennis.com, Stubbs slammed Zverev for his “arrogant” response to a reporter’s question about his performance against Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals, where Zverev lost 6-3, 6-4. Zverev claimed he was disrespected by media and insiders, asserting that he deserved more credit for his consistency compared to players like Alcaraz. Stubbs called his comments “delusional,” arguing that Djokovic and Federer, known for their humility in defeat, would never publicly dismiss the media or opponents in such a manner.
Stubbs highlighted Zverev’s claim that the quality of tennis balls affected his performance, tweeting a single word, “Really?” to express her disbelief, as reported by Sportskeeda. She argued that Federer and Djokovic, even in tough losses, consistently showed grace and avoided making excuses, a stark contrast to Zverev’s approach. “Novak and Roger would take the loss, give credit, and move on,” she said on her podcast, emphasizing their professionalism. This critique follows Stubbs’ earlier concerns about Zverev’s attitude, including her 2024 claim that he didn’t “deserve” the No. 2 ranking due to his lack of Grand Slam titles despite consistent results.
The controversy has fueled debate on X, with some fans defending Zverev’s frustration, citing his strong 2025 season, including a Madrid Open title, while others agree with Stubbs, pointing to his history of contentious remarks. As Zverev heads to the French Open, where he’s a contender after reaching the 2024 final, Stubbs’ remarks underscore the pressure on him to match his on-court achievements with the sportsmanship exemplified by tennis legends like Djokovic and Federer.
