"Was throwing me 48 different sign languages": Alexander Zverev clarifies misunderstanding with brother Mischa during Alcaraz win

Alexander Zverev suffered frustration during his win over Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 ATP Finals seeing off the Spaniard to dent his hopes of qualifying for then semi-finals in Turin.

Zverev extended his winning streak at the year end championships after also being successful at the Paris Masters. He saw off both Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud prior and saw off Alcaraz 7-6, 6-4.

In his box, it was a family affair with his father and coach Alexander Zverev Sr. alongside his brother and former player Mischa Zverev who tried to intervene but was shut down by his younger brother.

But it wasn't all it seemed. Zverev said that it was dark in the arena and his older brother giving him a myriad of instructions was confusing. He said that it was too complicated to understand and that was the sole reason why he didn't respond well. He went on to praise the volley of his brother saying it's why he is not World No.1 yet.

"The second one, to my brother, no, there wasn't a disagreement or anything. I was just asking where I should stand on the second serve returns. He was showing me about 15 different signs (smiling), while this whole stadium was dark," said Zverev.

"You have to ask him what he was trying to show me. I went to my dad to keep it more simple. He told me to step back on the second serve return, which was a great suggestion compared to my brother who was throwing me 48 different sign languages and signs, which I didn't understand a single one of them, yeah," he added.

"Well, it's for sure a subject that we're working on 100%. I'm not volleying like my brother yet. That's why I'm not No. 1 in the world, but No. 2 (smiling). I still have something to improve for next year. Hopefully I can do that."