“It’s a Shame”: Alexander Zverev Bashes ATP Over Quarantine Protocols at Miami Open 2021

Fans are eagerly waiting for the Miami Open 2021 to begin. The event couldn’t take place last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it appears that it’ll go ahead this time around, only behind closed doors. The players too will be inside a bubble, just like they were there at the Australian Open 2021. World No.7 Alexander Zverev has raised some serious questions about that.

According to Alexander Zverev, ATP is a body that doesn’t listen to the players. In a recent interview, he said that the ATP only thinks about its finances and doesn’t give too much consideration to the opinions of the players.

“They only focus on keeping the finances in order. The opinions of players are not their priority. It’s a shame because ATP should be there for the players,” said Zverev in the interview.

The World No.7 player slammed the ATP because he doesn’t like this idea of a bubble system at tournaments. Zverev highlighted that just like Rotterdam, players can’t have any interaction with the outside world in Miami as well- a thing that he clearly doesn’t like.

“In Miami, we are in a bubble. In the Rotterdam event, we had no contact with the outside world,” added the German player.

Alexander Zverev in 2021 so far

Zverev recently bagged his 14th title on tour and his first of the season at the Mexican Open 2021. The German defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in the final to conquer the title. Interestingly, he didn’t lose a single set at the tournament.

He even managed to take his side, Germany, into the semis of the ATP Cup 2021 but lost to Daniil Medvedev there. The US Open 2020 runner-up had a great run at the Australian Open 2021 as well before getting knocked out by Novak Djokovic in the quarters.

Stunningly, the Rotterdam Open 2021 proved to be a nightmare for the 23-year-old player when he lost to Alexander Bublik in the first round of the tournament. However, he turned the tables around and won the Mexican Open 2021 after that.

Alexander Zverev will now be looking forward to playing some great tennis at the Miami Open 2021. He’ll be beginning as the third seed there and will hope to impress fans with his gameplay. Will Zverev be able to succeed in Miami this year?

Also Read: Miami Open 2021 Draw: Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev on Collision Course, Tsitsipas Faces a Tough Path