Alexander Zverev reacts to Roger Federer Shanghai Masters umpire outburst
Alexander Zverev thinks Roger Federer used the umpire to gee himself up during their Shanghai Masters clash.
Shanghai Masters: Federer fumes at umpire during Zverev clash
Alexander Zverev claims Roger Federer argued with the umpire during their Shanghai Masters clash to psych himself up.
The German knocked Federer out of the quarter-finals yesterday with a memorable 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 win.
However, 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer lost his cool with the umpire on three occasions.
But Zverev feels the outburst was helping his opponent raise his level.
“No, because actually he started to play much better every time he got something out of him,” Zverev said of the incidents.
“You know, obviously I think emotions in sport are great.
“I didn’t know what was happening with the umpire, didn’t pay close attention, but, you know, every time he had an argument, he started playing better.
“Maybe it was a way to help him, as well, to get himself going.
“But, you know, he will always find a way. That’s why he’s the greatest player of all time, because he will, in difficult situations, difficult periods where his mind is maybe not at his best, he will still find a way to make it difficult for you.”
Zverev has won four of his seven ATP matches against Federer.
But the world No 6 is not getting carried away with the stats.
He added: “I mean, obviously it was an important match. The head-to-head is obviously a great thing to have, but more importantly for me is it was a match to kind of maybe turn my year around a little bit, and the race to London is also very important.
“So I’m happy to be in the semi-finals now and give myself the best chance to win maybe two more matches here.”
Zverev takes on Matteo Berrettini in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Federer will return to action at the Swiss Indoors later this month.