After the latest series of Netflix’s Break Point aired on the eve of the Australian Open, the tennis world needed to see another clash between Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev – and now we have got it on the biggest stage of them all.
The German booked his place in a seventh Grand Slam semi-final with a stunning 6-1 6-3 6-7 (2) 6-4 win against world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz and now the fireworks ahead of the 19th meeting between Zverev and Medvedev can begin in earnest.
Medvedev leads his head-to-head with Zverev 11-7, yet this battle suddenly feels so much more raw after the latter makes his feelings known on his rival in no uncertain terms in the full glare of the watching world.
A whole episode is devoted to Zverev’s comeback from a serious ankle injury sustained in a French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal in May 2022 and it includes his battle with diabetes, as well as details on his relationship with glamorous girlfriend Sophia Thomalla.
The German star reflected on his recovery from an injury that he feared could end his career and as he made his way back to full fitness, he took on old rival Medvedev in Monte Carlo last March.
It was Zverev’s first match back on a clay court since he sustained the injury against Nadal and he didn’t try to hide his dislike of world No 3 Medvedev in some cutting comments.
“Look, Medvedev is one of the best players in the world, but I also think that a lot of things that Medvedev does are frustrating at times,” began Zverev.
“He’s someone who knows how to play with the head of the opponent. I think there are a lot of unfair things happening in the game that he uses quite well to his advantage.
“I like to win and lose by playing tennis. I’m not someone who tries to do dirty games just to put your opponent off. That’s not how I was taught the game.”
Zverev’s brother Mischa also chipped in with his negative views on Medvedev as he said: “Whether it is talking to the crowd or talking to the chair umpire, he uses the whole stadium as a tool to win a match. That’s why he is so tough to play.
“You are focusing on closing out the match and all of a sudden, you imagine a green elephant walks across the court. You would be like, ‘why is that green elephant there’ and that’s because we are humans. You get distracted and Medvedev knows how to draw energy from that.”
It was inevitable that the next match between Zverev and Medvedev would be a major flash point after those comments and Zverev, as it was pointed out that Medvedev had beaten him in five or six matches in 2023.
“A lot of matches were extremely close,” said Zverev. “YA lot of the times it came down to him being extremely confident last year.
“Some of it was down to him playing some of the best tennis of his life and me coming back from injury and not having the confidence in deciding moments and not being able to finish matches.
“That’s what it came down to in Indian Wells, that’s what it came down to in Monte-Carlo, as well.
“Yeah, he’s obviously extremely difficult to play. No question about it. He’s one of the best players in the world right now.
“Obviously I’m happy in the position I am, and I’m going to do everything I can to win that match on Friday.”
Zverev seemed keen to sidestep questions about his fractured relationship with the Russian, yet this story is personal as his estranged ex-girlfriend is also a close friend of Medvedev’s wife Daria.
When a sporting rivalry gets personal, the tension on the court can overspill and the watching world will be hoping for fireworks when Zverev and Medvedev renew their grudge match on a Grand Slam stage.