Overview
- Tallon Griekspoor publicly said on Friday that he 'struggled to watch' Alexander Zverev’s US Open matches because of what he described as endless ball‑bouncing and questioned Zverev’s claim to be the world’s best.
- Hours later Griekspoor posted a clarification on X saying the reaction was 'getting out of control' and that he had praise for Zverev’s season, partially defusing the social‑media backlash.
- Zverev has acknowledged the high bounce totals and said he does not bounce on purpose, and reporters circulated estimates that he bounced roughly 12,000 times in his first five US Open matches and likely more than 15,000 by the final.
- Opponents and former players including Karen Khachanov and Ben Shelton have said the routine disrupted match rhythm and viewing, and commentators have urged the ATP and Grand Slams to set clearer limits for second‑serve pre‑serve routines.
- The debate exposes a rules gap because current regulations enforce a 25‑second limit to start the first‑serve motion but do not place a comparable limit on second‑serve pre‑motion activity, which could prompt formal rule changes or clearer enforcement.