“I have never used a bathroom break to my advantage or taken an unnecessary time out” – Zverev carries Medvedev controversy to Munich

The German had called out Medvedev for his unsportsmanlike conduct after the Russian took a toilet break late in the third set of their clash in Monte-Carlo last week

Alexander Zverev trains ahead of the 2023 BMW Open in Munich Image Credit: Imago / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

April 17, 2023

When Daniil Medvedev was asked about Alexander Zverev‘s comments about the Russian’s unsportsmanlike conduct during their round of 16 clash in Monte-Carlo, the Russian was ready to give Zverev the benefit of doubt given that the German had spoken to the press right after the difficult loss.

Medvedev further added that if Zverev stuck to his words after a week, he would then take them more seriously and perhaps even have a conversation with the German.

Now, maybe the Russian will need to do so after Zverev’s latest comments in Munich where the German is competing in the BMW Open this week.

“I have never used a bathroom break to my advantage or taken an unnecessary time out. I win and lose with tennis and I’m very proud of that,” Zverev said as quoted by the Tennis Tourtalk website. “I think people should form their own opinions. If he wants to talk to me, he is very welcome to do so. I have no problem with that.”

Alexander Zverev 🇩🇪 is back in Munich. Asked about his conflict with Daniil Medvedev in MC he stated:

"I have never used a bathroom break to my advantage or taken an unnecessary time out. I win and lose with tennis and I'm very proud of that."#ATPTour #Munich #BMWOpen pic.twitter.com/UG4Um7Beco
— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) April 16, 2023

Alcaraz vs. Sinner could be a new Rafa-Roger rivalry – Zverev

Zverev, who begins his Munich campaign with a second round clash against either Frenchman Ugo Humbert or Australian Christopher O’Connell after a first round bye, was also asked about the state of men’s tennis. The former world No 2 believes that the sport is in good hands with the rise of several young players, including US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz and Italian Jannik Sinner.

“During the last years I was on the tour, there was Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Those were three competitors that you can’t compare with anyone else,” Zverev said. “Of course, there are many good young players like Sinner, (Holger) Rune and Alcaraz. I think tennis is in good hands. But that certainly includes my generation. The spectators can look forward to more matches between Sinner and Alcaraz in the future. The two have a good relationship. This could be a new ‘Rafa-Roger rivalry’.”