Alexander Zverev advanced through the rounds at the US Open while drawing attention for an unusual match habit: the German tennis player bounces the tennis ball an extraordinarily high number of times before beginning his service motion, according to match statistics and reports from the tournament.
Zverev’s 12 040 Bounces Catch Fire on Social Media
During his run in New York, a viral social media statistic tracked Zverev’s pre-service routine, calculating that he had bounced the ball 12 040 times across his first five matches at the Grand Slam tournament, as reported by Süddeutsche Zeitung. While the figure sounded exaggerated, spectators watching his matches game by game noted that his extensive bouncing routine had become a distinct fixture of his service games.
The Semifinalist Laughs Off the Viral Tally
Following his semifinal victory against Russia’s Karen Khachanov—which ended in a 6:2, 7:6, 7:6 win—Zverev addressed the viral tally in his post-match press conference.
“I’ve seen the statistic—I probably bounced it 12,000 times or so,” Zverev said, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung, laughing off the new quirk as he spoke with reporters on Friday evening.
Opponents Scrutinize the Routine on Court
The repetitive motion has occasionally drawn scrutiny from opponents on the court, including Khachanov during their semifinal encounter, as players look to maintain their own rhythm during high-stakes service games. However, Zverev has taken the online chatter in stride, noting that the attention surrounding his bouncing habit is quite amusing.
Shot Clock Compliance Keeps Regulators Silent
Zverev continues to prepare for his next scheduled appearances on the ATP Tour, where opponents will look to counter both his powerful first serve and his time-tested baseline routines.
Worth a look
,fit(1200:))