Zverev angrily criticized Alcaraz for using a medical timeout due to cramping, with concerns raised after Alcaraz vomited before the match.

Zverev played strongly, but after the Spaniard took a 6–4, 7–6(5) lead, the match took an unexpected turn. As the contest progressed, Alcaraz appeared to struggle physically, and when he finally requested a medical timeout, it clearly upset Zverev.

Earlier in the match, Alcaraz had informed his team that he had vomited and might need medication, immediately sparking concerns about his condition. By the third set, these worries became more evident—he frequently shook his right leg, showing visible discomfort in his knee and thigh, yet he still managed to hold serve and led 5–4.

Shortly after, just as Zverev was about to serve, Alcaraz requested a medical timeout to treat his right quadriceps and thigh. The timing of the break clearly infuriated the German player, as the match was interrupted at such a crucial moment. The crowd heard Zverev shout, “He gets treatment for cramping? That’s unbelievable. This is ridiculous.”

Despite Zverev’s protests to the umpire and officials, Alcaraz remained calm during the treatment. According to the rules, players can request medical timeouts for injuries but not for cramping. When Zverev realized he was ready to serve after the changeover but still had to wait because of Alcaraz’s treatment, his anger intensified.

During the broadcast, tennis legend John McEnroe humorously yet pointedly commented, “I don’t understand German, Patrick, but I bet he said, ‘Look, he’s cramping, not injured.’”

Another tennis great, Jim Courier, sided with Zverev during the live coverage, bluntly stating the handling of the situation was clearly flawed: “This is a farce; they completely messed it up, no wonder Zverev lost his temper.”

After the brief controversy, Zverev quickly regained his form and won the third set tiebreak 7–3. However, after enduring the third longest match in Australian Open history—lasting 5 hours and 27 minutes—Alcaraz grit his teeth to prevail over Zverev. Nonetheless, his evident physical struggles reignited speculation: will fitness and injury issues, as seen at the ATP Finals, become obstacles again on his path to a title?

Having battled through this tough semifinal, Alcaraz is now just one victory away from completing a career Grand Slam. If he captures the Australian Open trophy, the Spaniard will become the youngest male player in the Open Era to achieve this feat.

However, the physical problems he showed in the semifinal cast a shadow over his pursuit of a first Australian Open title. Similar issues surfaced last year at the ATP Finals, where Alcaraz struggled to play his trademark aggressive tennis against Sinner, made numerous errors, and even limped during the match, clearly affected by injury.

The troubles did not end there. Alcaraz suffered a hamstring injury during the ATP Finals in Turin and was subsequently forced to withdraw from the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna. Although he started the new season strongly, cruising through early rounds in Melbourne, these physical concerns resurfaced in the semifinal.

Still, there is a positive aspect. Despite cramps and discomfort, Alcaraz persevered and ultimately defeated Zverev, demonstrating resilience and fighting spirit when it mattered most. Now, he stands just one step away from adding another Grand Slam title.

“Believe in yourself, always believe,” Alcaraz said in a post-match interview. “I think I’ve always said that no matter what happens, no matter what you’re going through or the difficulties you face, you must keep believing in yourself. In the middle of the third set, I really struggled; physically, this might be one of the toughest matches I’ve played in my short career.”

“I’ve been in situations like this and played similar matches, so I know what to do—put my whole heart into the match,” he added. “I feel like I did that; I fought for every point. I knew my chance would come. In the fifth set, I was full of passion and proud of how I fought back and completed the comeback.”(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)