Becker Defends Zverev Against Critics After US Open Title

The air in New York still hums with the echo of Alexander Zverev’s final point, a moment that has rewritten the German tennis canon. Yet, beneath the celebration of his second Grand Slam title of the year, a specific ritual has sparked a sharp debate. It is the quiet, rhythmic bouncing of the ball before the second serve, a habit that has drawn fire from opponents and now, with a nuance, from a legend.

Boris Becker, the former world number one, joined Andrea Petkovic in a recent podcast to address the controversy. He did not dismiss the criticism entirely. Instead, he pinpointed a single, persistent issue: the lack of a time limit for this pre-serve ritual. "I need a rule change on how much time a player has before the second serve," the 58-year-old stated firmly, urging the governing bodies to act.

The Unrestricted Time Before Serve

During the US Open, Zverev frequently allowed the ball to bounce multiple times before executing his second serve. Currently, the rules impose a 25-second window for the first serve after the umpire calls the score, but no such ceiling exists for the second. This regulatory gap allowed Zverev to extend the pause, a tactic that frustrated those watching from the stands and the commentary box alike.

Becker, who served as an analyst for SportEurope.TV during the tournament, confessed to the physical toll of the delay. "I became frantic while commenting," he recalled. The uncertainty of when the serve would actually materialize created a tension that disrupted the natural flow of the match, a sentiment shared by several opponents who felt the rhythm of play was being hijacked.

Opponents Voice Friction With Ritual

The disapproval was not limited to the commentary booth. Karen Khachanov, Zverev’s semifinal opponent, and Ben Shelton, his final match adversary, both raised objections to the extended pauses. Shelton, reflecting on the final, argued that the sport suffers when players take unlimited time to prepare. "It is difficult for our sport to wait so long for the next exchange," he noted, suggesting that the current rules allow for a disruption that undermines the competitive integrity of the match.

Historic Achievement Amidst the Noise

Despite his specific criticism of the serve ritual, Becker’s overall assessment of Zverev’s campaign is one of profound respect. He described the German’s performance in New York as "pretty much perfect." Winning two Grand Slams in a single calendar year, following his French Open triumph three months prior, marks a historic feat that places Zverev in elite company. Becker believes this achievement solidifies Zverev’s status as a modern great, regardless of the procedural quirks that accompanied his victory.

The path to becoming world number one is now within striking distance for the 29-year-old. His gap to Jannik Sinner has narrowed significantly, shrinking from over 5,000 points to 1,810. With Sinner facing a heavier burden of points to defend in upcoming tournaments, Becker sees a "huge chance" for Zverev to seize the top spot later this year. The Hamburg native has already claimed the lead in the year-end ranking, a testament to his consistent dominance on the professional circuit.

Becker also took aim at narratives suggesting Zverev’s success was manufactured by the absence of top rivals. He dismissed claims that the title was easier to win because Jannik Sinner was not a factor or because Carlos Alcaraz was still recovering from injury. "He can only beat the opponent he has to face on the court," Becker asserted, labeling such arguments as "shameless" and a lack of respect for the effort required to win a major championship.