In the pulsating arena of the Madrid Open, world No. 2 Alexander Zverev clinched a hard-fought victory against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on April 27, 2025, advancing to the round of 16 with a 2-6, 7-6(7-3), 7-6(7-0) scoreline. Yet, the German’s triumph was overshadowed by a contentious incident that sparked outrage among the partisan crowd at Manolo Santana Stadium, leading to relentless boos and a heated debate about sportsmanship in tennis. Zverev, no stranger to high-stakes battles, found himself at the center of a storm after taking an unprecedented step to challenge a line call, a move that left fans and players questioning the boundaries of on-court conduct.
The match began with Davidovich Fokina, ranked No. 29, seizing control, dominating the first set 6-2 with a barrage of drop shots and defensive prowess that caught Zverev off guard. The Spaniard, buoyed by a vocal home crowd, pushed Zverev to the brink, breaking his serve early in the second set. But Zverev, the top seed and a two-time Madrid champion, dug deep, clawing back to force a tiebreak and leveling the match. The decisive moment came in the third set, where Zverev’s flawless 7-0 tiebreaker showcased his resilience, but it was a second-set incident that stole the spotlight. “The first set wasn’t my best tennis, but it is sport, and it can change quickly,” Zverev said post-match, reflecting on his comeback. “Alejandro is playing unbelievable tennis, the best of his life, so I am happy to be through.”
The controversy erupted at 5-4 in the second set, with Davidovich Fokina serving to stay in the set. During a tense rally, the Spaniard’s backhand landed near the sideline, and the electronic line-calling system ruled it in. Convinced the ball was out, Zverev halted play, engaging in a heated exchange with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani. “The machine is not working. Look at this mark, please just come down look at it,” he pleaded, insisting the system had erred. When Lahyani explained he couldn’t overrule the electronic call, Zverev took matters into his own hands, pulling out his phone to snap a photo of the ball mark—a move that drew a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct and ignited the crowd’s fury. The Spanish fans, already rallying behind their hometown hero, booed Zverev relentlessly, their jeers echoing through the stadium.
Zverev’s actions didn’t end on the court. After the match, he posted the photo on his Instagram Story with the caption, “Just gonna leave this one here. This was called in. Interesting call,” further fueling the controversy. The incident drew parallels to a similar stunt by Aryna Sabalenka at the Stuttgart Open, where she photographed a disputed mark, highlighting growing tensions with electronic line-calling on clay, where ball marks offer visible evidence. Tennis purists criticized Zverev’s phone gesture as a breach of etiquette, arguing it undermined the system’s authority, while supporters, including his brother Mischa and legends like Martina Navratilova, backed him. “It’s definitely out no matter which angle you look from,” Navratilova posted on social media, calling for system recalibration.
The Madrid crowd’s reaction was intensified by their loyalty to Davidovich Fokina, who has enjoyed a stellar 2025, reaching finals in Delray Beach and Acapulco. Social media buzzed with divided opinions, some fans labeling Zverev’s move “disrespectful,” while others called it “innovative.” The incident also reignited scrutiny of Zverev’s past, with some fans referencing off-court allegations, though these remain unproven. Despite the drama, Zverev showed sportsmanship at the net, telling Davidovich Fokina, “Keep your head up. Big things are coming for you. You’re playing the best tennis of your life.”
As Zverev prepares to face Francisco Cerundolo next, the boos may fade, but the debate over electronic line-calling and player conduct will linger. His 25-5 record in Madrid, second only to Roger Federer, underscores his prowess, but this episode serves as a reminder that in tennis, victories are judged not just by the scoreboard but by the respect earned along the way. For Zverev, the path to a third Madrid title remains open, but navigating the court of public opinion may prove just as challenging.