'This is unbelievable' — Alexander Zverev slams Carlos Alcaraz’s medical timeout in Australian Open 2026 semi-final
(Courtesy : @AustralianOpen/Twitter)
Alcaraz took extended medical timeouts for cramps which went against rules of Australian Open.
Alexander Zverev was left fuming during his epic Australian Open 2026 semifinal against Carlos Alcaraz, accusing officials of bending the rules to allow the World No. 1 a controversial medical timeout for what he believed was cramp.
In the longest semifinal in tournament history—a 5-hour, 27-minute marathon, Alcaraz led two sets to love (6-4, 7-6(5)) before his movement faltered dramatically at 4-4 in the third set.
Clutching his upper right leg and moving gingerly, the Spaniard received treatment from the trainer during a changeover, including massages on his thighs.
Chair umpire Marijana Veljovic then announced a three-minute medical timeout, allowing Alcaraz to recover with pickle juice and physio intervention.
Zverev exploded in frustration, confronting supervisor Andreas Egli in a bilingual, expletive-laden rant.
“He has cramp! He can’t take a medical, he is cramping. What else should it be? This is absolute bull****! This is unbelievable,” he shouted, later adding accusations of favoritism toward top players.
“You are protecting both of them [Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner]… This is not possible. You cannot be serious.”
Under Gran d Slam and Australian Open rules, medical timeouts are permitted for acute injuries but not for cramps, which are classified as a loss of physical condition (treated only during changeover breaks, with a limit of three per match).
Pickle juice, often used to combat electrolyte imbalances causing cramps, is allowed informally but doesn’t qualify for injury-level intervention.
Zverev highlighted this inconsistency: Alcaraz benefited from extra recovery time (including physio work and pickle juice), which Zverev argued negated his own fitness edge after relentlessly pressuring the world No. 1.
Sinner too had earlier in the tournament overcome severe full-body cramps against Eliot Spizzirri during extreme heat, benefiting from an 11-minute off-court medical examination (framed under heat rules and potential injury assessment), a cooling break, and pickle juice intake despite cramps typically not warranting extended breaks.
Commentators too noted the grey area: the decision rests with the physio and doctor, who may assess it as a potential injury (Alcaraz had vomited earlier and clutched his groin/quad area).
Pundits like Miles Maclagan sympathized with Zverev, saying the timeout negated his fitness advantage after pressuring Alcaraz relentlessly.
Post-match, Zverev stood by his view: “He was cramping, so normally you can’t take a medical timeout for cramping”, but praised the match’s quality and softened his tone, refusing to let the controversy overshadow the battle.
Alcaraz, who battled back to win 7-5 in the fifth after Zverev served for the match, admitted the physical toll: “Physically, one of the most demanding matches… I fought until the last ball.” He reached his maiden Melbourne final, chasing a career Grand Slam.
The incident sparked debate on rule consistency and enforcement in high-stakes matches, but Alcaraz’s resilience prevailed in a classic encounter.
Why was Alexander Zverev upset with Carlos Alcaraz during their semifinal?
Zverev was frustrated because he believed Alcaraz received an improper medical timeout for cramps, which is not normally permitted under Grand Slam rules.
Are medical timeouts allowed for cramps at the Australian Open?
No, medical timeouts are generally not allowed for cramps, as they are classified as a loss of physical condition. Treatment is usually limited to changeover breaks.
What treatment did Alcaraz receive during the match?
Alcaraz received thigh massages, pickle juice, and physiotherapy support during a three-minute medical timeout to manage apparent cramps.
What did Zverev say about the incident?
Zverev accused officials of favoritism and argued that allowing the timeout gave Alcaraz an unfair recovery advantage, hurting his own fitness edge.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.