Video: World No. 4 Alexander Zverev cheekily unties umpire's shoelace during match
German tennis prodigy Alexander Zverev has a lot going his way. At 20 years old, he is currently the youngest player in the ATP top 30 rankings. In May this year, he entered the top 10 after getting the better of Novak Djokovic at the Italian Open.
Understandably, his confidence is through the roof and so is the pressure that comes with it. On Wednesday, Zverev was up against Dutch veteran Robin Haase in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters, and things came to a head.
The German won the first set 6-3 and looked at ease. But his behaviour was far from ideal, and the umpire Carlos Bernardes seemed to be admonishing Zverev about that during the changeover.
To blow off some steam, the youngster pulled a cheeky one on the umpire as he got up from his chair to g back on to the court. Zverev untied the umpire's shoe lace and calmly walked away to take his position. You can check out the video above.
But it wasn't all fun and games. Sensing the complacency on the other side of the net, Haase stormed back into the match, winning the next two sets 6-2, 6-2 to book his place in the third round. Haase will next face Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro on Thursday.
While the result sent ripples across the tennis circuit, it seemed a little inevitable. Haase threw away six break point opportunities in the first set while Zverev made the most of the one break point he was presented with.
But things took a turn for the worst for Zverev in the next two sets, and his body language deteriorated correspondingly. Haase finally found momentum and reduced his errors to deservedly win the tie 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Zverev will next be in action at the season ending, ATP World Tour finals in London, where he will likely be the third seed.