Alexander Zverev was furious after a disputed electronic line call at the 2025 Madrid Open, sparking a heated exchange with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani. Zverev pleaded with Lahyani to leave his seat and inspect the mark.
Competing as the top seed at the Masters 1000 event in Madrid, Zverev faced a red-hot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round on Sunday, April 27. He struggled at the start, losing the opening set 2-6 after falling behind 0-4.
However, the German fought back in the second set. After exchanging breaks in the first two games, Davidovich Fokina had key breakpoint opportunities at 4-4, but Zverev saved the game with a powerful serve, which his opponent contested was out.
After expressing his dissatisfaction with the questionable call, Davidovich Fokina switched sides and focused on his next service game at 5-4. Immediately, controversy arose when Davidovich Fokina was awarded the first point of the game on a sliced backhand, which Zverev argued had been clearly wide.
Frustrated by what he perceived as consecutive errors, Zverev approached Lahyani, claiming the electronic line-calling system was malfunctioning. “The machine is not working. Look at this mark, please,” the World No. 2 said, repeatedly pleading with the umpire to check the mark. However, Lahyani refused to leave his seat.
“Just come down and look at it. No, no, no. Don’t overrule it. Please, just come down, just for me. Please, look at this. I’m begging you,” Zverev continued.
Lahyani explained, “The system called it good. I cannot check it, Alexander. When the system calls it good, I can’t go down.” In response, Zverev argued, “Okay, but there’s a mistake in the system. This ball is out.”
After the heated exchange, Zverev pulled out his phone and took a picture of the mark on the court, despite the umpire asking him not to. Zverev was quickly given a code violation warning for unsportsmanlike conduct. This wasn’t the first instance of a player using their phone to capture proof of a disputed line call—Aryna Sabalenka had done something similar at the WTA 500 event in Stuttgart, and Victoria Azarenka had also expressed frustration with the electronic system at the Madrid Open.
Alexander Zverev survives Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s Madrid Open scare
Despite the slow start, Zverev rallied to secure a dramatic win over Davidovich Fokina. After losing the first set 2-6, Zverev fought back, winning the next two sets in tiebreaks, ultimately prevailing 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(0). The German is aiming for his third Madrid Open title and his eighth Masters 1000 crown. He will face either Francisco Cerundolo or Francisco Comesana for a spot in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, April 29.
