(VIDEO) Alexander Zverev comes under fire for perceived cheating during coin toss at Roland Garros

As Alexander Zverev gets ready to play his semi-final at the 2024 French Open today, he has been accused of cheating after making a mix-up with the coin toss which annoyed people on social media on Thursday night.

A young fan was asked to toss the coin and as a result, the umpire asked the German to let him know which side the coin landed on.

"Umpire: Juliet, you turn. It's going to be ball or racquet."

Zverev replied: "Uh, Ball, please.Umpire: Ball."

Read also

Casper Ruud v Alexander Zverev 2024 French Open Roland Garros Men's Semi-Final Preview as pre-tournament favourites collide

The German picked up the coin and said: Racquet, it's racquet. The umpire turned to Alex de Minaur to ask him his choice whether he wanted to serve or receive to which Zverev said that he said racquet.

The umpire then confirmed this and gestured to Zverev to ask him what he would like to do after he replied confirming it. De Minaur refused to make the decision though telling him to make his own with Zverev choosing to receive.

It has not exactly been the best time for Zverev anyway with the German technically currently on trial back home in Berlin for domestic abuse allegations. Accused by his ex-partner and mother to his child, Brenda Patea, her testimony will be held in private at the request of Zverev.

He could yet become a Grand Slam champion this weekend whilst the dark cloud looms over him. He is not needing to attend the trial at least for now which likely won't conclude until earliest Wimbledon and likely during his Olympic gold medal defence in Paris next month. But this incident does nothing to endear him to fans who already have him cast as public enemy Number One. He faces off against Casper Ruud later on today for a spot in the final after three previous semi-final runs without making the final. Ruud has previously made the final twice.

Ben Rothenberg

@BenRothenberg

·Follow

I have never seen such casual, committed scammery in tennis like this before.

Watch on Twitter

4.3K

Reply

Copy link

Read 228 replies