“Why are you laughing?” – Alexander Zverev yells at father, breaks racket in deflating loss to Daniil Medvedev at China Open
On September 29, 2025, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev suffered a crushing 6-3, 6-3 defeat to Daniil Medvedev in the China Open quarterfinals, a match that saw the German star lose his composure, smashing his racket and yelling at his father-coach, Alexander Zverev Sr., “Why are you laughing?” The 82-minute loss on Beijing’s Diamond Court extended Medvedev’s head-to-head dominance to 14-7, with five consecutive wins, and highlighted Zverev’s ongoing struggles with injury and mental resilience in a frustrating 2025 season.
The Match: Medvedev’s Mastery
Zverev, the second seed, struggled against Medvedev’s relentless baseline game and defensive precision. The Russian broke early in the first set to lead 6-3, capitalizing on Zverev’s 24 unforced errors and winning 86% of his first-serve points. The second set saw Zverev hold briefly until 3-3, but Medvedev’s break at 4-3—sealed with a pinpoint passing shot—triggered the German’s meltdown. Zverev won just 14% of return points and failed to convert any of four break-point chances, as Medvedev secured his first Top 5 hard-court win since 2023. Medvedev later noted, “I put a lot of pressure on him, played great and I’m happy to win,” highlighting a key service game where he fended off Zverev’s lone push.
The Outburst: Racket Smash and Family Tension
Zverev’s frustration boiled over after Medvedev’s break in the second set. He slammed his racket to the ground, earning a code violation as it skidded across the court, a moment that stunned the Beijing crowd. Earlier, he directed a rare outburst at his father-coach, shouting, “Why the f**k are you laughing?”—a sharp departure from their typically close dynamic. The incident followed Zverev’s admission of physical struggles, having required a back injection before his prior win over Corentin Moutet (7-5, 3-6, 6-3). The racket smash and verbal flare-up underscored a broader pattern of Zverev struggling to channel frustration in high-stakes matches.
Head-to-Head and Context
Medvedev’s victory marks his fifth straight win over Zverev since the German’s last triumph in Cincinnati 2023, flipping an early rivalry where Zverev led 4-0. Their head-to-head now stands at 14-7, with Medvedev excelling on hard courts. Zverev’s 2025 has been a rollercoaster: a French Open final (lost to Alcaraz), a BMW Open title, but multiple upsets and injury setbacks, including a back issue that flared in Beijing. Medvedev, titleless since 2023, improves to 30-19, with this run signaling a return to form.
| Match/Tournament | Result for Zverev | Key Moment |
|——————|——————-|————|
| China Open QF vs. Medvedev (2025) | Loss 6-3, 6-3 | Racket smash at 3-4 in second set; yelled at father. |
| China Open R16 vs. Moutet | Win 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 | Battled back pain; gritty decider. |
| Halle SF vs. Medvedev (June 2025) | Loss 7-6(3), 6-7(1), 6-4 | Tight three-set loss in prior meeting. |
| BMW Open (April 2025) | Champion | Sole title amid injury struggles. |
| French Open Final (2025) | Loss to Alcaraz | Career-best Slam run. |
Fan and Analyst Reactions
Social media captured the intensity, with fans tweeting, “Zverev’s meltdown was tough to watch—back injury and Medvedev’s wall-like defense broke him.” Others sympathized, noting, “Yelling at his dad like that? You can feel the pressure he’s under.” Analysts pointed to mental hurdles: “Zverev’s talent is top-tier, but these outbursts show he’s still searching for that clutch factor.” Medvedev’s performance drew praise, with one post reading, “Daniil’s back—clinical and unbothered.”
Prize Money Impact
The China Open’s ATP 500 prize fund allocates $75,000 for quarterfinalists and $139,250 for semifinalists. Zverev earns $75,000 for his run, while Medvedev secures at least $139,250, with a potential $262,000 for reaching the final or $503,570 for the title. These earnings add to their 2025 totals, with Zverev banking over $2.5 million and Medvedev nearing $2 million before Beijing.
Looking Ahead
Medvedev advances to face the winner of Andrey Rublev vs. Bu Yunchaokete in the semifinals, chasing his first title since 2023. Zverev, still in the ATP Finals race, heads to the Shanghai Masters 1000 starting October 3, where he’ll aim to address his physical and mental challenges. At 28, Zverev’s potential remains immense, but this deflating loss underscores the need for a reset to reclaim his edge.
