AO 2026 Final Alcaraz v Djokovic

[Front242]

Zverev always plays passive when he gets in front? that has been one of his down falls in his career
Zverev dosent play to win, he plays to protect his score?
When Zverev did a training block with Toni Nadal at Rafa's Academy last year., most important point from Toni and Rafa was not to be 'soo passive, stay aggressive' of course he dosent listen and does the opposite..

100% true about Zverev's passive play at important key moments like serving for the match, but Alcaraz' movement was back to normal by then 'cos of the illegal MTO. If he was still hobbled with cramps, then Zverev could well have finished him off, passive play or not.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

true about Zverev's passive play at important key moments like serving for the match, but Alcaraz' movement was back to normal by then 'cos of the illegal MTO. If he was still hobbled with cramps then Zverev could well have finished him off, passive play or not.

Well I was live at the AO this year Front, and also at that match, though I did leave after Carlos won the first 2 sets, because I thought Carlos would win in 3 sets, went to have a early dinner at RLA, then I watched on the big screen in the restaurant for the rest of the match. It appeared to me that Carlos had a groin problem as he sat down he clutched his groin area, when talking to the trainer, it wasnt a hot day at all in Melbourne, so I was surprised if cramps played a part. If a player is injured in a match or compromised, you have to focus on your own game, and not be distracted, Zverev did serve for the match and in hindsight should have won

 

[Moxie]

100% true about Zverev's passive play at important key moments like serving for the match, but Alcaraz' movement was back to normal by then 'cos of the illegal MTO. If he was still hobbled with cramps, then Zverev could well have finished him off, passive play or not.

It wasn't an illegal MTO. It's explained here, and it conforms to what Margaret has told you a couple of times:

Carlos Alcaraz Explains Why He Received Medical Timeout During Win vs. Zverev

Alcaraz’s medical timeout left Zverev irate with Australian Open officials.

www.si.com

 

[kskate2]

Whether or not it was cramps is for the physio to decide. The umpire isn't a medical professional and won't tell a player they can't have an MTO. They will err on the side of caution and allow the physio to diagnose/treat the player. Can you imagine if someone had actually strained a muscle and the umpire said no, you can't have an MTO because it looks like cramps to me. If you run back the video, she actually says that to Zed when he's having his whinefest. She said, I don't know that it's cramps.

But you can put all of that aside because Zed won the next 2 sets and served for the match in the 5th, but he's a headcase who lost his own physcial form by the end of the match, so continue making excuses for him. The only way this boy will win a slam is if the opponent defaults in the final.

 

[Kieran]

The only way this boy will win a slam is if the opponent defaults in the final.

Even then…I’m betting everything I have on his opponent..

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Even then…I’m betting everything I have on his opponent..

The sad part about this era is that the competition is so bad, you can say that about a lot of players outside of Sinner, Alcaraz, or Djokovic. Substitute Zverev for Musetti, Rublev, ADF, or Tsitsipas (for example, and you could add more players to that list), and you'd get no argument otherwise.