A spectator was ejected from the US Open after German Alexander Zverev complained the man had used language from Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime.
Serving at 2-2 in the fourth set and down 0-15 during his thrilling victory over Jannik Sinner, Zverev suddenly went to chair umpire James Keothavong and pointed toward the fan, who was sitting in a section behind the umpire. Courtside microphones did not pick up what the fan said.
“He just said the most famous Hitler phrase there is in this world. It’s unacceptable. This is unbelievable,” the German alleged.
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AS IT HAPPENED: All the scores and action from the US Open day eight
Keothavong responded to Zverev’s claims quickly. Microphones picked him up asking fan to identify themselves, before telling Zverev “we’ll get him out”.
The patron was promptly removed from Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as a courtesy to both players, please remain fair and respect the players,” Keothavong reminded the crowd.
Zverev would go on to overcome Sinner in a gruelling 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 match to progress to the quarter finals.
Speaking after the match, Zverev expressed his disappointment towards the heinous acts, which he ensured do not represent his fans.
”I think he was getting involved in the match for a long time, though. I don’t mind it, I love when fans are loud, I love when fans are emotional,” Zverev said.
“But I think me being German and not really proud of that history, it’s not really a great thing to do and I think him sitting in one of the front rows, I think a lot of people heard it. So if I just don’t react, I think it’s bad from my side.
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“He started singing the anthem of Hitler that was back in the day. It was ‘Deutschland über alles’ and it was a bit too much,” Zverev said.
But luckily for Zverev, he was able to put the distraction behind him and go one to win the thrilling encounter.
“It’s his loss, to be honest, to not witness the final two sets of that match,” Zverev said.
The German will now face world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz in their quarter final match up.
– with AP