"These guys are both dying out there": Rennae Stubbs calls out US Open scheduling for favouring Alcaraz after 'brutal' Sinner-Zverev epic

Thursday, 07 September 2023 at 18:11

Rennae Stubbs highlighted the advantage Carlos Alcaraz will have over his opponent Alexander Zverev due to the US Open schedule.

On the night of Monday, September 4th, the longest match of this year's US Open took place, lasting four hours and 41 minutes and ending after 1:30 am. The protagonists were Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, battling to secure a spot in the quarterfinals against world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The German emerged as the winner, claiming the match with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

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Both players struggled with cramps and the extreme heat on the court. In fact, it was rare to see Zverev wearing wristbands or using towels during a game, but it was necessary for the former world No. 2.

While Zverev and Sinner grappled with these challenging conditions, Alcaraz had earlier comfortably defeated Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets, taking only one hour and 59 minutes to finish the match. The Spaniard played in the morning, which allowed him considerably more time to recover.

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Rennae Stubbs commented on this situation on social media, highlighting that Alcaraz was probably sleeping while Zverev and Sinner were battling it out.

“Alcaraz in bed sleeping and these guys are both dying out there!! This sport is brutal when your schedule isn’t the same,” Stubbs wrote on X (ex Twitter):

Rennae Stubbs ♈️

@rennaestubbs

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Alcaraz in bed sleeping and these guys are both dying out there!! This sport is brutal when your schedule isn’t the same…

5:23 AM · Sep 5, 2023

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Zverev and Alcaraz will face each other on Wednesday, September 6th, for the sixth time in their careers. The 2020 US Open finalist leads the head-to-head record against the 20-year-old youngster by 3-2. However, 'Sascha' won both matches that were played on hard courts: the 2021 Acapulco and the 2021 Vienna Open, the former being an outdoor tournament and the latter an indoor event.

The German is currently tenth in the live rankings, although there are still matches to be played. He is exclusively competing with Frances Tiafoe to re-enter the top-10 after nearly a year.

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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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