Alexander Zverev has spoken candidly about the harsh impact of social media on professional tennis players, calling out the toxic “culture of blame” that thrives among fans—particularly online.
The German star, currently ranked No. 3 in the ATP, has recently been targeted by critics following his disappointing early exit at the Bitpanda Hamburg Open, where he was eliminated in the second round by Alexandre Muller. The loss, on home soil and just ahead of the 2025 French Open, sparked intense backlash.
In a recent interview, Zverev highlighted the intense negativity athletes endure on social platforms.
“These days, social media matters more than anything. We deal with a lot of hate. For tennis players, the abuse we face online is extreme—most of it comes through private messages and hidden channels,” he said.
Using his own experience as an example, Zverev revealed he had been ill during the Hamburg tournament but chose to compete anyway, fearing criticism if he withdrew.
“If I had pulled out, people would’ve said I just came for the money or didn’t take the tournament seriously. But that wasn’t the case—I played while sick,” he explained. “There’s a strong culture of blame in tennis, especially from fans and on social media.”
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