In the first set of the quarter-final in Beijing, a minor altercation broke out between Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic. The Serbian felt he had been treated unfairly.
Tension between Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic: A controversial incident in the early stages of the quarter-final at the ATP tournament in Beijing – which the experienced Serbian won 4–6, 6–4, 6–4 – led to a brief disagreement between the two tennis stars.
With the score at 30–15 in the second game of the first set, the German hit a forehand wide for no apparent reason. He then visibly fretted and made contact with his box. Something had disturbed him.
As it later transpired, an advert in the background had changed during his previous service game, causing Zverev to feel his movement was disrupted and resulting in him failing to return Djokovic’s shot into the court.
“It doesn’t make sense”: Djokovic complains
He seemed unsure whether he was allowed to take a challenge, but after consulting with his team, he decided to do so – and was proved right. After reviewing the replay, the umpire ordered the point to be replayed.
Much to Djokovic’s displeasure. The Serb took issue with the fact that Zverev was allowed to request a challenge after such a long delay. “That makes no sense,” he complained to the umpire: “Would he have been allowed to do that after a 30-shot rally too?” The chair umpire answered in the affirmative.
Djokovic walked away, stunned and shaking his head, but won the replayed point nonetheless. Zverev, however, remained unfazed and took the second game to make it 2–0. In the end, though, it was the record-holding Grand Slam champion who came out on top.
