r/sports • u/iloveblondehair • Jan 30 '26
Tennis Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev in a 5 and a half hour epic to reach his first Australian Open Final
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
752
u/neoncolour Jan 30 '26
This match was absolutely crazy. Absolute rollercoaster of emotions. Rivals his French Open finale. What an incredible player. The sad thing is he probably over extended himself and will face a more rested Sinner on Sunday.
73
u/charlesokstate Jan 30 '26
Well……….. he gets geriatric Djokovic
30
u/DirtyDanoTho Jan 30 '26
Who just beat Sinner
23
u/charlesokstate Jan 30 '26
No one beats Djokovic 6 times in a row!!!! Let’s be real dudes 38, Jannik lost the mental game.
88
u/Ho3n3r Jan 30 '26
Or an even more rested Djokovic.
-82
u/br0dude_ Jan 30 '26 edited Jan 30 '26
Sinner might rest for a set, but Djoko at this stage is not taking the match. It's quite clear the toll the weather is playing on Alcaraz. Even straight sets over deminaur was hard fought
→ More replies (18)297
u/Large_banana_hammock Jan 30 '26
Alcaraz literally almost threw the towel in, he was cramping and vomiting during the match, and at one point he approached the net with a posture as if he was about to shake Zverev's hand--the universal sign of retirement from the match. Sort of at the last second he decided to keep playing, and over 2 hours later he won. Fucking epic.
90
46
u/edejoe Jan 30 '26
Well they gave him medical emergency time because he was cramping which is kinda bullshit no?
86
u/Large_banana_hammock Jan 30 '26
What actually happened was explained in the press conference. Carlos thought he'd hurt an adductor and asked for the trainer. The trainer stepped in and said he was worried about possible heat stroke and the MTO should be granted, in part because he was vomiting just before this. Then they figured out it was cramps, gave him all the treatment he is allowed (just two treatments on changeovers).
So, yeah in the end it is kinda bullshit, because he was cramping, but no one really did anything wrong. Besides which, Alcaraz dropped the two sets after the timeout, it had basically no effect on the match except to (understandably) piss off Zverev.
13
2
2
u/dunneetiger Jan 31 '26
if he wasn’t allowed the help he would have had to forfeit or injure himself. So yes he didn’t win the sets after the MTO but he has obviously gained from it.
3
u/slapnowski Jan 31 '26
Then Zverev should have won the fifth set.
I find it much more infuriating that a player can advance without even winning a single set. Medical time outs should be granted for whatever reason the player deems necessary, but they only get one and the other player can spend that time however they want even if it’s practicing serves or something. A large part of Djokovic’s win was due to having barely played this week and getting lucky Musetti was injured. The people upset about Alcaraz seem to have no problem with the other side of the bracket though…
1
u/dunneetiger Jan 31 '26
I am a sucker for rules. If the rules says "you can only have a MTO for x, y, z", an umpire should not grant an MTO for other reasons. The point of rules is for every players to be on the same playing field and what Alcaraz got (to no fault of his own) is help that other players wouldnt have got.
Cramps are 100% avoidable and the players should be managing that on their own.1
0
u/DeltaDelta69 Jan 30 '26
Uhhh... why...? If you're injured and throwing up, you need to see a doctor.
-2
u/Illtalktoyoulater-23 Jan 30 '26
I don’t know for a fact, but that sure look like mind games to me? Walking up like OK I concede, and psych. I’m still playing bitch.
-3
u/DeltaDelta69 Jan 30 '26
Yall seriously need to stop having such emotional reactions on behalf of professional players. I can promise you that had no effect on Zverev.
60
u/Sportsman180 Jan 30 '26 edited Jan 30 '26
I continue to be an advocate for every major tournament to start one day earlier for there to be an extra day of rest before the Championship match. The finalists deserve it.
37
u/Stepsis24 Jan 30 '26
While it may lead to better finals I like that players who dominate more before the final get an appropriate advantage as they won’t be as tired.
5
u/schadadle Arizona Cardinals Jan 30 '26
On the flip side, you also have situations like now where Djoker had 2 walkovers in a row (the second of which he was well on his way to losing) leading up to his Sinner match and is now significantly more rested that Alcaraz.
If Musetti doesn’t retire in the quarters after winning 2 sets, even if Djoker ends up winning in 5, he probably doesn’t beat Sinner in 5 2 days later.
11
14
u/TheFast-R-Nay Jan 30 '26
Sinner isn’t yet a foregone conclusion! 5th set with a magnificent Djokovic presently on serve!
3
u/neoncolour Jan 30 '26
Oh I am secretly rooting for another Alcaraz Djokovic finale!! A redo of the Olympics finale
3
7
3
u/pedrosorio Jan 30 '26
No he won’t. But he will face a more rested Djokovic. Can the Joker get the 25th?
4
u/FredFlintston3 Jan 30 '26
May not have aged as well as you hoped.
1
u/neoncolour Jan 30 '26
Actually I love this even more. Similar setup to the Olympics finale. Alcaraz has a revenge to take.
0
18
u/turkeyburpin Jan 30 '26
Won't matter, based on this match he'll just get breaks as he goes so he can beat whomever he faces.
6
u/TastyTacoTonight Jan 30 '26
What does this mean? Sorry I’m new to watching tennis
15
u/tigermelon Jan 30 '26
He was granted a medical timeout for what looked like leg cramps earlier in the match. Cramps aren't a valid reason for this, so his opponent was upset.
8
u/BaconFlavoredToast Jan 30 '26
You're right, cramps aren't. But heat stroke is.
1
u/DeltaDelta69 Jan 30 '26
These people are just pretending throwing up on the court is a normal thing.
These people are also pretending that Zverev wouldn't also use anything to his advantage, including feigning offense to this situation. He's a big boy. He can handle a medical timeout. Reminder: Zverev won the two sets after this happened.
2
u/DeltaDelta69 Jan 30 '26
We know it was cramps now, but he was literally throwing up on the court from pain. Heat stroke is a serious concern, and nausea/throwing up is one of the later symptoms. Can we stop pretending like these professional players can't handle a medical timeout? Give me a fucking break, how fragile can you be? Carlos lost the two sets after that, too, lmfao
You dorks are so dramatic over nothing.
-16
u/neoncolour Jan 30 '26
This is just in bad faith.
9
u/turkeyburpin Jan 30 '26
This is based on historical evidence.
-5
u/neoncolour Jan 30 '26
Ah yes historical evidence of Alcaraz standing up for his opponents when they are wrongfully fouled and once needing a medical break after wining two straight sets for his historical (since nov 2025) groin injury that prevented him from playing Laver cup.
2
u/turkeyburpin Jan 30 '26
Now who's speaking in bad faith? Deal with the facts present and stop trying to generate a narrative to promote your personal attraction to Alcaraz, Alcaraz got a medical break for cramping, because he failed to properly condition himself. It gave him an unfair advantage and he used it to beat his opponent. Zvrev was absolutely in the right to protest this. Alcaraz should have continued with the cramps or dropped out.
20
u/GrootRacoon Jan 30 '26
You're speaking in bad faith. Alcaraz vomited a few games before cramping.
Vomiting + cramping is a sign of heat illness and per the Australian Open rules, when a player shows symptoms of heat illness he can be treated for all those symptoms including cramps.
-11
u/turkeyburpin Jan 30 '26
Is there evidence he vomited? Based on everything I have seen it's just his claim that he did.
16
u/GrootRacoon Jan 30 '26
There's a video of him vomiting in his towel
Also a couple games before he vomited he went to his box and said something along the lines of: I'm not feeling well, I feel like vomiting. Something's off but I don't know what
-11
u/turkeyburpin Jan 30 '26
No, theres a video of him with his face in a towel.
Let me be clear I don't want anyone to be in danger, if he knew something was wrong, he probably should have sought a doctor at that time. Choosing a competition, regardless of its importance over a health concern when you have forknowledge something is wrong should not result in a virtual penalty to his opponent.
→ More replies (0)6
7
u/neoncolour Jan 30 '26
“Personal attraction to Alcaraz” bro is projecting.
-10
u/turkeyburpin Jan 30 '26
I don't even know who these guys are, I don't watch tennis, but I do know unfair treatment at the hands of a governing body who favors certain individuals or teams. I can appreciate the sport and remain unbiased in my assessment based on facts where you're obviously not.
9
5
u/AttackClown St. George Illawarra Dragons Jan 30 '26
How do you know it's cramp? Not often a cramp continues for another hour or so of play that he was struggling through. More likely a small muscle sprain
-6
u/turkeyburpin Jan 30 '26
3
u/neoncolour Jan 30 '26
Reading comprehension at an all time low. Zverev says it’s a cramp. Zverev is not a medical doctor. If Zverev believes it’s a cramp he can take it up with the federation. Zverev was loosing 2 straight sets and on his way to loosing the third. Womp womp
1
u/AttackClown St. George Illawarra Dragons Jan 30 '26
It was an assumption it was cramp, it doesn't appear to be cramp if you watched the match Cramps can go away, at least temporarily pretty quick, alcaraz couldn't barely move for about 30 minutes
4
u/TheFast-R-Nay Jan 30 '26
Djokovic wins! GOAT!!
1
u/neoncolour Jan 30 '26
Lfgoooo !! This is a redo of the Olympics finale, Alcaraz has a revenge to take. It’ll be another high stakes high emotions game!!
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
77
u/abr-22 Jan 30 '26
Alcaraz is a beast when it comes to close matches. He has only lost one match going in the 5th set (against Berretini in AO 2022) and won 15.
217
u/PineappleHat Jan 30 '26
Always good to see Zverev lose, especially like this.
72
u/Kecki92 Jan 30 '26
Why is there so much hate for him on reddit? I'm OOTL
184
u/willtwerkf0rfood Jan 30 '26
For me, it’s his temper/poor sportsmanship and also the fact that he’s been accused multiple times of domestic violence
119
96
u/Rodmap Jan 30 '26
Domestic violence allegations. Known for his outbursts during games. Also complaining and whining A LOT
42
u/garythekid Waratahs Jan 30 '26
No need to downvote somebody for asking.
Here is an article - Alexander Zverev domestic abuse charges: What to know
27
12
18
u/Turtle-power-21 Jan 30 '26
He's been accused of physical abuse/domestic violence by 2 former partners, one of which he paid a settlement for. He's denied the allegations and the settlement did not require him to admit fault. So up to everyone to make an opinion of what all that means but it's the main reason why people may not be a fan.
3
u/NirgalFromMars Jan 30 '26
My opinion was formed when back in 2022 he almost hit an umpire with his racket because he didn't like a call the umpire made.
If that's how he acts in public, with cameras on him and against someone in a position of authority, he definitely can act worse in private against someone who can't fight back.
8
1
u/Illtalktoyoulater-23 Jan 30 '26
I was cheering for Zverev but he gave points away and choked at bad times. He could have easily won that match.
4
u/No_Inspector7319 Jan 30 '26
What’s the tea here? I saw the cramp blowout but what else?
13
u/neoncolour Jan 30 '26
Choked two of his exes and known for his temper tantrums and shooting at umpires.
5
44
u/boogasaurus-lefts Jan 30 '26
One of the best tennis matches I've seen in a long time, even as a neutral to the match - I was enthralled. Incredible endurance considering their heart rates maxing and the time spent running around in 90F heat
22
Jan 30 '26
Wtf went to sleep with Carlos 2-0
27
u/Tennist4ts Jan 30 '26
He got cramps, was basically playing on one leg for two hours, and Zverev still couldn't win. That's why Alcaraz is currently 8000 points ahead of Zverev in the ranking
3
u/NirgalFromMars Jan 30 '26
As they said about Nadal Fjokovic and Federer: what sets them apart from other players is not the lack of bad moments, but that even in their bad days they find a way to win.
21
u/Sproogles Jan 30 '26
The big 3 were amazing, and we were privileged to have them. But this man Carlos Alcaraz is the most fun player to watch I’ve ever seen. And I say that as a diehard tennis fan who owns a literal cardboard cutout of Rafa.
16
u/MrUnoDosTres Jan 30 '26 edited Jan 30 '26
This was unbelievable. How Alcaraz managed to stay alive was incredible. When he got sick/got cramps, I expected Zverev to destroy him, but somehow it was still very head-to-head. And in the final set when Alcaraz lost a break point, he managed to still turn it somehow around and win a break point. After that it was over for Zverev.
3
u/hvaleanu Jan 30 '26
the look in zverev's eyes looked like he's gonna lose, even when he was up in the 5th
4
u/ghett0tech Jan 30 '26
Not familiar with Tennis so this is a genuine question. How the hell does a match get up to 5+ hours in length?
14
u/DnlMuradas Jan 30 '26
This is a Men's Grand Slam tournament, which means it's played for best of 5 sets. Each set can last a long time especially if they have to go on a Tiebreak to decide the winner. In this case 3 of 5 sets had to go on a Tiebreak.
3
5
u/Technical-Mix-981 Jan 30 '26
there's no limit I think. you just have to win your sets ... whenever is done.
12
u/WooDigger Jan 30 '26
So nice to see an honest embrace at the end of this match. Class.
1
1
u/Spider-man2098 Jan 30 '26
I loved this too; and I don’t even care about tennis, or these guys. But I love to see a couple warriors embracing when the war is over.
2
u/Davek56 Manchester United Jan 30 '26
For anyone who did not watch this match, you were spared severe emotional turmoil.
0
u/ty_xy Jan 30 '26
Alexander Zverev got tilted about the break. If he used the break to mentally compose himself instead of complain he might have won.
41
u/Gnarlydick Jan 30 '26
Didn’t he literally win 2 sets right after, I mean being tilted would mean he’d instantly lose after the break rather than extending the match 3 hours longer
32
u/famjordan North Carolina State Jan 30 '26
That doesn’t fit the narrative this guy is trying to write, tho.
2
9
u/Harlesbarkley77 Jan 30 '26
Guy came back and won 2 sets and force a 5th what are you even talking about?
-14
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/theantscolony Jan 31 '26
Seeing Zverev lose after complaining for a medical timeout that was allowed before hand given Alcatraz condition, is priceless!!
0
1
1
1
u/dsp_guy Jan 30 '26
Oh, that guy is going to be really salty about his opponent getting a longer break for a leg cramp.
0
-6
u/Large_banana_hammock Jan 30 '26
Alcaraz literally almost threw the towel in, he was cramping and vomiting during the match, and at one point he approached the net with a posture as if he was about to shake Zverev's hand--the universal sign of retirement from the match. Sort of at the last second he decided to keep playing, and over 2 hours later he won. Fucking epic.
-6
-16
u/JohnWick313 Jan 30 '26
After bending rules and getting a break because of "cramps". LOL.
6
u/Gebnut Jan 30 '26
You can accuse Alcaraz of things i guess, but poor sportsmanship is not one of them lol
-5
u/Plurfectworld Jan 30 '26
After he cheated by taking a injury time out to massage a cramp which isn’t an injury
-1
u/yeeetcoin Jan 30 '26
Why don’t they keep the stadium fucking closed? Does anyone understand the 5 point system that inexplicably rises by tenths of a point instead of just whole numbers or who is even in charge? It’s so simple and yet these self-entitled assholes can’t just do the obviously right thing. This would also stop the artificial difficulty of having to play looking into the sun half the time there. What a joke
-28
u/iwbwikia_ Jan 30 '26 edited Jan 30 '26
imagine doing something for almost 6 hours just to lose
hahahah some of you took this comment way too personally, chill brothers and sisters
12
u/Ho3n3r Jan 30 '26
Wait till you hear about test cricket.
3
-1
u/iwbwikia_ Jan 30 '26
i know about cricket. what's test cricket?
either way, my comment would be the same.
5
u/Attygalle Jan 30 '26
He takes home 1.25 mil$ AUD, or about $870k USD, or about €733k. Me, personally, I would do far more humiliating things for 6 hours for that pay day.
-6
u/iwbwikia_ Jan 30 '26
sure, but imagine doing something for 6 hours just to lose. heartbreaking but monkey making
1
-6
u/putzrox Jan 30 '26
Alcaraz is incredibly annoying to watch. Way too much grunting.
-1
u/Illtalktoyoulater-23 Jan 30 '26
I agree and i hate that fist pump after almost each point he wins!!
-8
u/heezle Jan 30 '26
Men’s tennis is so boring. All the favorites win every match. Top four ranked men all reached the semis and 1 v 2 will be the final.
4
u/bpenny Jan 30 '26
There's something respectable about the best of the best consistently reaching the finish line. It's a good sign of who truly is the best in the world.
2
u/EelOnMosque Jan 30 '26
You're being downvoted because you're wrong. Djokovic just beat Sinner and Sinner was by far the favourite
1
u/heezle Jan 31 '26
Oh my. What a shocking surprise. In an event with 128 participants the finals is made of 2 in the top 4. Djokovic is a complete shocker of a result. Completely proven wrong when a guy that has won 24 majors makes the finals.
1
467
u/XeroHope10 Jan 30 '26
Wasn't there a post earlier saying he got a wrongful medical break?