Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Alexander Zverev finally had his US Open moment, six years after letting a two-set lead slip away in the 2020 final. But for some of his fans, the German’s long-awaited celebration was overshadowed by John McEnroe’s closing remark on the broadcast.
Zverev defeated American Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 on Sunday to win his maiden US Open title, adding the New York crown to the French Open title he won earlier this year. It was the culmination of years of near misses for the 29-year-old, who had lost the 2020 US Open final to Dominic Thiem after surrendering a two-set advantage.
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Yet instead of ending the night by dwelling on Zverev’s breakthrough, McEnroe turned his attention towards the two players who were missing from the final, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
“Get healthy, Carlos and Jannik,” McEnroe said, a remark that quickly drew the ire of Zverev’s supporters online.
The comment went viral, with fans accusing McEnroe of making Zverev’s biggest night about the players who were not there.
“McEnroe is so pathetic. Makes every moment about himself, shows bias when his guy isn’t winning and is proven wrong predictions wise. Why ESPN includes him in every big match I don’t know,” one fan wrote.
“I was only half paying attention at that point but McEnroe’s b****y comment stood out. Bitter little man,” another posted.
Several also pointed out that Carlos Alcaraz was fully fit in the tournament and lost to Ben Shelton in a gruelling semi-final contest.
WHY DID MCENROE REACT LIKE THAT?
McEnroe’s comments came after an underwhelming final in which both Zverev and Shelton struggled with nerves for large periods. Zverev, however, was the more composed player when it mattered, taking control early and recovering after Shelton fought back to win the third set.
The German was so locked into the match that he initially did not realise he had won. When Shelton sent a return long on match point, Zverev headed towards the baseline, seemingly expecting to receive another serve before the umpire’s call finally registered.
He then cracked a smile, ran towards the net and embraced Shelton as the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd gave him a standing ovation.
The victory also earned Zverev a record $5.5 million winner’s prize and completed a remarkable turnaround from his 2020 heartbreak.
“I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we went through and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before,” Zverev said during the presentation ceremony.
McEnroe did acknowledge Zverev’s performance, describing him as the better player on the day and praising the German for the strategic, emotional and physical demands he handled in the final.
“He was certainly the better player today. He played a really strong strategic match, as well as an emotionally intense match, as well as a physical match. All those things together, and that’s why he’s so tough to beat in these best-of-fives,” McEnroe said.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion also suggested Zverev had been unlucky not to win more majors before this.
“He knows to say the right thing,” McEnroe said after Zverev’s on-court interview. “You know, he was arguably unlucky. He should have had a couple of majors before this.
“So, uh, karma works in crazy ways, and somehow, he’s gonna be finished the year the number one ranked player in the world.”
ZVEREV RISES TO THE OCASSION
Even the partisan New York crowd, which had desperately wanted Shelton to end the 23-year wait for an American men’s Grand Slam champion, had little choice but to acknowledge Zverev’s performance.
“I know that today 99.9% of the people wanted Ben to win so I’m very sorry,” Zverev said. “Even though I know that the crowd was against me, the crowd was always incredibly fair and we as players we appreciate it.”
For Zverev, the night was about finally putting one of the most painful chapters of his career behind him. For many watching, however, McEnroe’s final words ensured that the conversation quickly shifted towards the two stars who were not on the court.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
