What Alexander Zverev shouted at the crowd in Argentina after getting time violation in defeat to Francisco Cerundolo

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Alexander Zverev was fuming with the Argentina Open crowd during his defeat to Francisco Cerundolo.

The 27-year-old first ever main draw in South America has come to a premature end as the home favourite claimed a three-set victory.

Cerundolo has now won both meetings with Zverev after he claimed their 2024 contest at the Madrid Open.

Following his 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 defeat at the ATP 250 event, Alexander Zverev expressed his unhappiness with the crowd.

Alexander Zverev expressed his frustration with the Argentina Open crowd

Zverev praised the Argentina Open crowd after winning his opening match against Dušan Lajović.

But his tune has completely changed following his loss to Francisco Cerundolo, who was playing on home soil and had great backing from the crowd.

Signs Zverev was beginning to struggle with the spectators came while he was trailing 1-3 in the deciding set. 

The German was given a time violation warning and and while break point down, he shouted at the crowd: “respect the players a little bit.”

During the post-match press conference Zverev went a step further as he made quite a shocking claim about the tournament.

“If you are not an Argentine player, it is very difficult to play in this tournament,” Zverev said. “I feel very sorry for the organisation.”

This comes after Holger Rune cast doubt over whether he would play in Argentina again, and criticised the courts in at the tournament.

Francisco Cerundolo makes history after defeating Alexander Zverev at the Argentina Open

As the World number two, Zverev is the highest-ranked player that Cerundolo has defeated in his career so far.

Furthermore he is the first Argentine player to beat a top 2 player since Diego Schwartzman claimed his only win over Rafael Nadal at the 2020 Italian Open.

Cerundolo is also the first player to do it on home soil since 2002 and during his post-match interview, he could not hide his elation.

“I’m super happy. It’s the best win of my career in terms of ranking. He’s number two in the world playing incredible tennis,” he said.

“So to be able to beat him here in Buenos Aires with my home crowd, my family, my people, my friends. It’s amazing. Probably one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.”