Sinner refused to ‘respect’ Zverev’s comments – ‘Federer would never’ | Tennis | Sport

Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev have had a difficult relationship in the past, as the tennis stars have to fight each other in the Australian Open final on Sunday (January 26). The 23-year-old is the defending champion of the tournament and was in lavish form as he beat Ben Shelton in straight sets to mark a third in a row in a Grand Slam final.

Zverev, 27, secured his passage to the final after Novak Djokovic withdrew due to an injury during their semi -final settlement. The German star had won their first set before the Serbian decided he couldn’t continue. The Italian now stands in the way of Zverev to claim a long-awaited Grand Slam title, while the hamburger can throw a screw in the world’s number one dominance down below.

There have been plenty of turns and turns in the relationship between the two tennis players who have met each other six times, with Zverev coming out in the top in four of their matches. Their showdown on Sunday, however, will be the first to take place in a Grand Slam-Final as Express Sport have the low story that exists between them.

Sinner is bursting Zverev

It was back in 2020 when their rivalry was initially triggered after Zverev was jumped out of a then 19-year-old Sinner in the fourth round of the French Open. After his defeat, the triple Grand Slam finalist claimed he had felt uncomfortable before their fight – a confession that did not fall into good ground with Sinner who accused his rival of “promoting excuses.”

“I respect him a lot because he has won more than me, he has more experience on the field and he is a fantastic player,” Sinner told Corriers. “However, I do not respect his statements after his defeat to me at Roland Garros. He contradicted himself a lot. He said he had a fever, but in the third and fourth sets he ran more than me.

He quoted Roger Federer’s humility and Rafael Nadal in defeat in his criticism of Zverev. “It looks like he was looking for an apology after his defeat,” Sinner added. “Federer or Nadal, for example, would never have said such things.”

Zverev’s judgment on rivalry of Sinner

While Zverev has enjoyed great moments in the sport, such as winning Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020 and winning the 2018 and 2021 ATP finals, a Grand Slam title has continued to avoid him. After coming short of the US Open final in 2020 and the French Open final in 2024, he spoke up about his rivalry with Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz and expressed what he thinks he should do to defeat them.

“I think now the guys, 90 percent of the time they only play offensive. It’s about ensuring that you can follow offensively with them also be able to keep up with their speeds in Groundstrophes .

“Maybe it’s also where I fought in my career, trusted my shots and went after them when I needed it. I personally think it’s something I still have to work on. Hopefully next year will be even better .

“Hitler-Hymne”-Controvers

During Zverev’s fourth round US Open victory over Sinner in 2023, a tennis fan was thrown out of the match after the German accused him of “singing Hitler’s anthem”. Zverev had suddenly stopped the match in the fourth set and immediately made a Beeline for the referee when he pointed to the tab.

“He just said the most famous Hitler phrase found in this world,” Zverev told Judge James Keothavong. “It’s not acceptable.” While the official asked the man to identify himself, he did not arrive, but by restarting the match, members of the audience had identified the tab, which was subsequently removed by the security guard. After his win, he said, “He started singing Hitler’s anthem, there was then. It was ‘Deutschland Uber Alles’ and it was a little too much.”

Jovial moments

It has not been all conflicts between the couple as fans saw them have a friendly exchange after Sinner was awarded a price to have the best hair on the ATP Tour. During an interview at the ATP final, the confused Italian was given the minisul and asked the interviewer, “I have the best hair?”

When he looked at his latest triumph, Zverev was surprisingly appearing in the interview when he was confused about the decision to crown Sinner with the best child instead of himself. “He has the best hair? What the hell is this? I grew my hair for three years at this award and you give it to … Ahh came now. I will never win,” the German exclaimed jokingly.

The humble Sinner presented the award to Zverev, who grabbed it and said, “Thank you. I won this award” before giving it back to his rival on the field while adding, “No, I’m making fun of.”

Mutual respect

Despite the back and forth the couple had in the past, quickly until 2025, respect is widespread in the way they talk about each other in public, and Zverev opens up training with Sinner when he was a teenager and admired the heights, He has reached. So young an age. “I’ve known him since he was 16 or 17 years old,” he said ahead of the Australian Open.

“He trained with Riccardo Piatti near Monte Carlo. When it was raining, we went there because there was a hall there. So I have known him since he was a young boy at the academy. With regard to tennis, he absolutely deserves to be .

Respect is certainly mutual as Sinner admitted that he will have to fight against best Zverev in a final. “It’s going to be a very tough fight,” he said after his win over Shelton. “We had some difficult matches in the past. Everything can happen. He is an incredible player he is looking for his first major and there will be a lot of excitement again.”