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Heated debate over Alexander Zverev decision to play Federer exhibition instead of Davis Cup


Alexander Zverev had previously announced he wouldn’t play Davis Cup in 2019 but now he’s chosen to play in a friendly match against Roger Federer in Mexico in the same week

 

Fans of Alexander Zverev have reacted strongly to criticism of him regards a recent announcement that he will now play against Roger Federer in a friendly instead of playing in the Davis Cup on November 23rd.

Zverev has been a vocal opponent of the new format for the Davis Cup since it was acquired and re-formatted by a new company headed up by Spanish footballer Gerard Pique. Zverev had previously been quoted as saying about the new format for the Davis Cup, “I don’t like the new system at all. I would like it to be said after one or two years: ‘Very well, this does not work as well as previously thought, and that the old home game system could really be recovered.”

Zverev will now play in ‘The Greatest Match’ that will take place on November 23rd in Mexico. Zverev is now managed by Team 8, a new athlete management company set up by Roger Federer and his own long term agent.

However, tennis fans on Twitter are undecided as to whether this is the right decision with some fans criticising Zverev for seemingly looking to earn money from an exhibition when he could be representing his home country Germany at the Davis Cup. Other tennis fans disagree saying they also think the new format of Davis Cup isn’t ideal and that Zverev can do what he likes with his time off. Here’s a selection of the conversation on Twitter:

Zverev twitter reaction

 

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.