Alexander Zverev rewards Cincinnati ball kids after they endure long day amid relentless rain
ATPThursday, 13 August 2026 at 22:00
Alexander Zverev made sure the ball kids at the Cincinnati Open had something to remember after a long day at the tournament, treating them to a pizza party following a rain-soaked qualifying session that forced them to remain at the venue late into the evening.
The gesture came after heavy rain disrupted the schedule for most of the day, with organizers initially announcing that play had been called off before eventually finding a window to complete the qualifying matches. With the sessions running well beyond the expected schedule, the ball kids were among those who had to stay at the tournament for hours longer than planned.
Zverev, who is the No. 1 seed in Cincinnati this week, then stepped in with a gesture that quickly earned praise from the tournament. The 2021 champion arranged a pizza night for the ball kids, with 24 pizzas provided after their marathon day at the venue.
The Cincinnati tournament highlighted the gesture on social media, thanking Zverev for recognizing the work of the ball kids after such a difficult day. While the German will be hoping to make a much bigger impact on court this week, his gesture off it provided one of the tournament's more memorable moments before the main draw even got underway.
Zverev arrives as top seed after another early Montreal exit
The gesture comes as Zverev begins his Cincinnati campaign as the tournament's top seed, with the German benefiting from Jannik Sinner's decision to skip the event as he manages his fitness ahead of the US Open. Zverev will open against either Cameron Norrie or Dino Prizmic as he looks to regain momentum on hard courts.
That will be particularly important after another disappointing Canadian Open campaign. Zverev was eliminated in his opening match in Montreal by Tallon Griekspoor, repeating a missed opportunity from the previous Masters 1000 when he arrived as one of the leading names in a field missing Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
The best kind of surprise 🎉🍕
— Cincinnati Open (@CincyTennis) August 13, 2026
After a late night qualifying finish, our 2021 champion Alexander Zverev treated our hardworking ball crew to a well-deserved pizza party. A big thanks to @AlexZverev 🫶#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/3yVMVKPlxw
Cincinnati, however, has historically suited Zverev. He won the tournament in 2021 after defeating Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev during his run to the title. Since then, he has reached at least the semifinals in each of his last three appearances, giving him a 12-3 record across four Cincinnati campaigns since that breakthrough title.
The 2026 Roland Garros champion and 2025 Wimbledon finalist is therefore looking to put his recent disappointment behind him and rediscover the level that has made him one of the leading contenders outside the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry.
With the US Open approaching, Cincinnati represents another important opportunity — both to build confidence and to show that he can capitalize when the biggest names are absent.
Alexander Zverev — 2021 Cincinnati Open run to the title
| Round | Opponent | Opp. ranking | Score |
| R32 | Lloyd Harris | 46 | 7-6(3), 6-2 |
| R16 | Guido Pella | 93 | 6-2, 6-3 |
| QF | Casper Ruud | 11 | 6-1, 6-3 |
| SF | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 3 | 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) |
| F | Andrey Rublev | 7 | 6-2, 6-3 |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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