Alexander Zverev Hits Back: Sharp Criticism of Becker and Rittner

Alexander Zverev lost his patience after his recent French Open exit and lashed out at a press conference in Stuttgart. He particularly targeted tennis legend Boris Becker. Becker had advised Zverev to change his environment in order to finally win the coveted Grand Slam. This did not sit well with the 28-year-old at all.

Zverev's reaction was unequivocal: "When things are going well for me, I always do everything right, when things are going badly, everyone is very, very smart. Unfortunately, Boris is one of them." A statement that makes the tennis world sit up and take notice and shows how much the constant advice is getting on his nerves.

When Expert Opinions Annoy: Barbara Rittner in the Crosshairs

But that wasn't the end of the verbal exchange! Former national coach Barbara Rittner also got her share. She had commented on Zverev's explanation for his French Open exit, saying it was due to the temperatures, with a clear "He can't tell me that." For Zverev, this was unacceptable.

The 2021 Olympic champion could not understand why Rittner had "so much opinion" about his career. He even added more: "Firstly, I don't take her opinion seriously, and secondly, she has a wrong opinion in my eyes." A clear statement that shows the Hamburg native is not willing to swallow every criticism.

Despite the Dispute: Respect for the Legend

Despite these explosive statements, Zverev still sees himself at the absolute top of the world. He emphasizes that he is "still a candidate to compete against the two guys up there." By this, he means Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who delivered an epic French Open final and currently dominate the scene at the top.

Interestingly, Zverev strikes a milder tone with Boris Becker. Although he does not share Becker's criticism, he has "massive respect" for the tennis legend. He sees it as a "controversial topic" like in any relationship. He will "always listen" to what Becker has to say, but he doesn't always have to agree with it. A nuanced stance that shows not everything is just black and white, even when the sparks fly.

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.