"This is disgusting Carlos Alcaraz";"Sick of players liking this abuser"- Fans furious after Alexander Zverev & Spaniard share a hug at Paris Olympics
Tennis fans were outraged after Carlos Alcaraz was spotted hugging Alexander Zverev at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This will be Alcaraz's first appearance at the Games, while Zverev will be returning as the reigning gold medalist. The Spaniard is set to participate in both the singles and doubles events, while the German will be solely focused on the singles event.
A photo of Alcaraz and Zverev sharing a hug at the Paris Olympics made rounds on social media on Friday, July 26. Many fans seemed furious at the World No.3 for hugging the German, who has faced multiple allegations of domestic abuse. They have come from his former partner and mother of his child, Brenda Patea. He was also accused of causing physical harm to his ex-girlfriend Olga Sharypova.
Fans took to social media to voice their disappointment and disapproval after the hug. One fan stated that it was "disgusting" from Alcaraz to be associated with Zverev.
"This is disgusting @carlosalcaraz stop associating yourself with him for the love of GOD," a fan posted.
Another fan expressed their frustration, saying that they were "sick" with players supporting Zverev, whom they referred to as an 'abuser."
"I’m sick of players liking this abuser man. Ffs," a fan wrote.
"Tbh it’s just sad," a fan posted.
One fan pointed out that many male tennis athletes seem indifferent to Zverev being an abuser.
"Another reminder that your favorite male tennis athlete does not care that they are on the tour with an abuser - most of them are very chummy with him. Sooner you make peace with that, the better," a fan wrote.
One fan criticized all men for constantly letting them down. While another mentioned that Alcaraz hugging Zverev should not have been surprising, given their frequent interactions.
"All men do is DISSAPOINT," a fan posted.
"Now why are people surprised as if they havent hung out several times already," fan wrote.
"Sick and tired of these male athletes not giving two f*cks about there being abusers among them and acting this way with said people," a fan posted.
Alcaraz is seeded second in the singles draw at the Paris Olympics. He will kick off his campaign against Lebanon's Hady Habib. In doubles, Alcaraz will team up with Rafael Nadal, set to take on the sixth-seeded Argentinian pair of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in the first round.
Manwhile, Zverev will focus solely defending his gold medal. He is seeded third at the Games and will face Jaume Munar in the opening round.
Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev have faced each other thrice on tour this season
Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev have faced each other 10 times on the ATP tour, with both the players winning five matches each.
In 2024, Alcaraz and Zverev faced off thrice on tour. Their first matchup took place in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, where Zverev defeated the World No.3 6-1, 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-4.
Their next meeting was in the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells Masters, where Alcaraz secured a dominant 6-3, 6-1 win. He also went on to clinch the title by defeating Daniil Medvedev 7-6(5), 6-1 in the final.
Their most recent showdown was in the final of the 2024 French Open, where Alcaraz triumphed over Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 . This was the Spaniard's first clay court Major title and his third Grand Slam title overall.