Watch: Bizarre moment Alexander Zverev ignores advice of Team Europe team-mate Carlos Alcaraz at Laver Cup 2025
Published 22/09/2025 at 13:02 GMT+1
Alexander Zverev appeared to completely ignore his Laver Cup team-mate Carlos Alcaraz during his decisive defeat against Taylor Fritz. The Spaniard was offering some words of advice between games in the closing stages of the contest, but Zverev turned instead to the thoughts of Casper Ruud. It did not pay off, with Fritz securing victory in the match and the tournament shortly after.
WATCH - Bizarre moment Zverev completely ignores Alcaraz's advice
Video credit: TNT Sports
There was a bizarre moment during Alexander Zverev’s Laver Cup match against Taylor Fritz when the German appeared to completely ignore Carlos Alcaraz.
With Zverev one set down, but Fritz preparing to serve to stay in the second set, Alcaraz was giving his European team-mate some words of advice between games.
But Zverev did not acknowledge the world No. 1 and instead called over Casper Ruud to hear the thoughts of the Norwegian.
Alcaraz was telling Zverev: "Put pressure on him, let him play, let’s fight, let’s work the point. At the beginning, two, three shots, and then go for it."
Zverev appeared to ignore the Spaniard before beckoning over Ruud and asking: "What do you think?"
Ruud told the world No. 3: "I think you just go for it."
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Watch: Alcaraz wows everyone at Laver Cup with mind-boggling drop volley
Video credit: TNT Sports
But the advice did not pay off, with Fritz holding his serve and going on to clinch the match in a second-set tiebreak, completing Team World’s victory over Team Europe.
With three points up for grabs, Zverev had the opportunity to level the overall score, which was 12-9 going into his contest with Fritz.
But with only one match potentially left to play, defeat against the world No. 5 took the tournament out of sight.
It was an impressive couple of days for Fritz, having also beaten Alcaraz in straight sets on Saturday.
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His victory over Zverev gave Team World a third triumph in the eight editions of the Laver Cup, following their victories in 2022 and 2023.
"We're going to have a fun night. We're definitely popping champagne in the locker room in a few minutes," said Fritz.
"The energy from the team... the moments of winning feel so much better and the moments of losing feel so much worse.
"You're doing it for all these guys. It fires me up so much. I always feel I play my best tennis in team environments."
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