"A fifth set can go the other way": Alexander Zverev laments 'frustrating' line call error in Roland Garros final
ATPMonday, 10 June 2024 at 11:30
A crucial error that seemed to cost Alexander Zverev in the end took place during his Roland Garros final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday at the French Open as he lost in five sets in a game that could've turned the opposite direction.
Zverev tried to recover from a break down trailing 2-1 in the fifth set. Alcaraz faulted and served again but it looked to be out. Albeit umpire Renaud Lichtenstein decided otherwise. The hawkeye revealed that Zverev after the fact was indeed correct. He would've broken back and leveled the score at 2-2 from there.
Zverev's game fell apart in the mean time with Alcaraz consolidating the break and eventually winning the fifth set en route to sealing the title. Zverev was asked about the issue after he lost the final to Alcaraz and he termed it 'frustrating'. Albeit whilst saying that, he refused to criticise the umpire saying that everyone is human and makes mistakes. Albeit of course, it is a kick in the teeth for Zverev who himself said it could've been a different game had he got the call in his direction.
He heads back to Germany without winning a maiden Grand Slam title and plays immediately on grass this week in Stuttgart. Alcaraz on the otherhand is unlikely to be seen until Queen's at the earliest. He will likely defend that title during the second week of the grass court season and will take this week to rest, recover and start grass court training.
"There's a difference whether you're down 3-1 in the fifth set or you're back to 2-2… that's the deciding difference. So yeah… it's frustrating in the end," said Zverev to reporters.
"But it is what it is, umpires make mistakes, they're also human and that’s okay. But of course, in a situation like that, you wish there wouldn't be mistakes."
"I heard that at 2-1, the second serve was out from the Hawkeye data, I saw that. You know, I break back there, I have chances than in the next service game, a fifth set can go the other way."
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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mandoist13-09-2026 - “The way I like to put it – no disrespect to anybody – is that this is her house, and all the other girls are just guests, and it’s time for them to go home” Well now... seems John Stacy has made a complete ass of himself. Doubt he'll be receiving any invitations to Lena's "house" any time soon.mandoist13-09-2026
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AceOfBase12-09-2026
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