Alexander Zverev gets angry over Carlos Alcaraz getting MTO at Australian Open; German pleads with folded hands; watch

Third seed Alexander Zverev looked visibly upset after Carlos Alcaraz was given a medical timeout (MTO), what the German thought it to be cramps and not injury during their high-voltage Australian Open 2026 men's singles semifinal at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday.

The incident took place during the 10th game of the third set after Alcaraz won the first two sets 6-4, 7-6(7-5). It was at when the scores were level at 4-4, that Alcaraz felt his quadriceps after missing a backhand. He started crouching down and held serve for 5-4 before taking a MTO at sit-down.

This angered Zverev who went to one of the match officials and vented his frustrated out in his native language. Although it was impossible transcribe Zverev's words by this website, but he did utter the word "bullshit" a couple of times during his outburst.

The video of Zverev's outburst went viral on social media. Some of the users even transcribed Zverev's words which read, “It's unbelievable that he gets treated for cramps. This is bullshit. Carlos Alcaraz can’t take an MTO for cramps. He’s not injured.”

While Zverev pleaded with the match official, Alcaraz looked relaxed as he got himself treated. According to the game's rules, a player can only take a MTO in case of an injury. He or she can't take a MTO for a cramp.

Commentators divided over Alcaraz's MTO

Meanwhile, the commentators also sounded confused over the incident. “Can you take a medical timeout, say it’s a quad or knee?” said former Australian tennis player Wally Masur when Alcaraz first pulled up. His co-commentator and former South African tennis player Robbie Koenig looked confused too.

“He could, to answer your question about saying it’s a knee problem. It’s very difficult for the physio to tell the difference, is it cramp or is it an actual injury? He’s just a game away now, is Alcaraz, but it’s all happening here deep in the third,” Koenig replied to Masur.

Both Alcaraz and Zverev are yet to win an Australian Open title. If Alcaraz goes on to lift the title, it would make the Spaniard the youngest in the Open Era to complete a Career Grand Slam. Alcaraz has already won two French Open, two Wimbledon and two US Open titles in his career.

The previous best for Alcaraz at the Australian Open was his quarterfinal entries in 2024 and 2025 editions.

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