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Carlos Alcaraz He said he didn’t know if he was cramping or suffering a more specific injury when he requested a medical timeout in the third set. australian open win Alexander Zverev.
Alcaraz’s stunning five-set epic maiden Australian Open final was not without controversy as German furious at decision to allow opponents three minutes There was a medical timeout at 5-4 in the third game, when his movements were very difficult.
“He has cramps! He cannot receive medical treatment, he has cramps. What else? This is absolute nonsense! It’s unbelievable,” Zverev told director Andreas Egli in German. The player was not allowed a medical timeout due to muscle cramping issues.
Alcaraz, who Recovered and won an epic five-set victory in 5 hours and 27 minutesThe Spaniard, who called it the most physically challenging match of his career, was asked about Zverev’s complaints and whether there were timeouts in the rules.
“At first, when it was in a specific muscle, I didn’t think it was a cramp at all,” Alcaraz said. “So I didn’t know exactly what it was because I just turned to my forehand and then I started feeling it in my right adductor muscle, so that’s why I just called the physio.
“That was the moment. The rest of the leg, the left leg was fine, not great, but not bad. After that, with all the pressure, I didn’t know what was going on and if it could get worse.
“I talked to the physical therapist. I said, OK, I’m just going to the forehand side and I started to feel my adductor right. He decided to take a medical timeout, which he did.
“Then I thought these three [remedies] Regarding the conversion, that’s it. I just told what happened and he decided to take a medical hold. “
Zverev said he would leave Melbourne with his head held high despite serving in the fifth set, repeating after the match that he did not like the decision but adding that he did not want the controversy to overshadow the longest ever Australian Open semi-final.
“I mean, he had cramps, so normally you can’t take a medical timeout for cramps,” Zverev said. “What can I do? It’s not my decision. I don’t like it, but it’s not my decision
“Honestly, it was 17 hours ago, I don’t remember much, but I’m sure someone has a video, you can check it out [what I was saying]
“But, to be honest, I don’t want to talk about it right now because I think it’s one of the best fights Australia has ever had. It doesn’t deserve to be a topic right now.”
Alcaraz will now turn his attention to recovery in Sunday’s final against Novak Djokovic, where he will compete for a first Australian Open title and a chance to become the youngest man ever to complete a career Grand Slam.
“Obviously I was tired — I could be a little better, to be honest, but I think after five and a half hours that’s normal,” Alcaraz said.
“So I’m doing everything I can to just feel better tomorrow. I’m going to go to the physio now and we’ll see.”
“Hopefully it won’t be nothing, but after five and a half hours of racing and a high level of physical fitness, I think the muscles are going to be tight and I have to do everything I can to perform at my best in the final.”
Despite yet another heavy defeat at a Grand Slam, the 28-year-old Zverev said he left Melbourne feeling optimistic about his chances of eventually winning a Grand Slam.
“The funny thing is, I don’t have too many regrets in the fifth set because, to be honest, I was holding on for dear life. I was exhausted,” Zverev said.
“I think we both reached our absolute limits, so I’m also proud of the way I held on and came back from two sets to love.
“It’s certainly disappointing, but it’s the start of the year, so if I continue to play like this, if I continue to train the way I train, if I continue to do what I’ve been doing in the offseason, I believe it’s going to be a good year for me.”