LONDON: Reigning ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev has denied allegations that he was swiping through his phone during a sit down in his latest match in London. 

A series of Twitter users posted footage of the German placing his hand in his bag. It appeared as if he was using a phone or some sort of electronic device. Using his thumb to either press a button or swipe something. Despite the allegations, Zverev has denied any wrongdoing. 

“My phone was in the locker room. I always leave it there. I don’t know what they saw, but it was definitely not a phone.” Zverev replied when quizzed in his press conference. 

Under rules set out by the ATP, it is an offence for players to use their phones during matches and they could potentially be penalised. The rule is in place as part of fight against match-fixing in the sport. 

“A player is not allowed to use any electronic devices (e.g. CD players, mobile phones, etc.) during matches, unless approved by the Supervisor.” The 2019 ATP rulebook states. 

Despite the 22-year-old stating his innocence, questions remain about what he was looking at inside his bag. Which is located next up the chair of the match umpire. Asked to explain, he said it might have been ‘an empty water bottle.’ 

Zverev was not particularly slick about the phone use either. He’s down a double break in this set, so it hasn’t much helped. pic.twitter.com/9aLb8TL1QN

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) November 13, 2019

Zverev will play his final match of the round-robin stage at the ATP Finals against Daniil Medvedev. He is currently 1-1 in the group after defeating Rafael Nadal before losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday. 

“Days like this happen. It’s just how it is in sports.” Said Zverev after his latest loss. “Against Rafa, I played a great match. Today I didn’t. This is just how it is sometimes, even though I have to give credit to him. He played really well.”
“There are a lot of things that I did not do great, and I have to change that to have a chance on Friday.”

There are three possible scenarios in which Zverev can qualify for the semi-finals. The most simple is that if both he and Nadal or Tsitsipas win their next matches. He can also qualify if he loses to Medvedev in three sets and Tsitsipas wins. 

On Friday
If Nadal & Medvedev win:
1 Nadal
2 Tsitsipas

If Nadal & Zverev win:
1 Tsitsipas
2 Zverev

If Tsitsipas wins & Medvedev wins in 2:
1 Tsitsipas
2 Medvedev

If Tsitsipas wins & Medvdev wins in 3:
1 Tsitsipas
2 Zverev

If Tsitsipas & Zverev win:
1 Tsitsipas
2 Zverev

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) November 13, 2019

LONDON: It has been confirmed that Tomas Berdych will travel to London where he is expected to formally announce his retirement from tennis at the age of 34.

The former world No.4 will address his future in the sport during a media engagement at the ATP Finals on Saturday. An event he has played six times during his career with his last appearance being back in 2015. News of Berdych’s upcoming departure was first reported by the Czech newspaper Blesk, who contacted his father.

“I think it will be a great end on Saturday,” Blesk quoted Martin Berdych as saying.

In the aftermath of the media report, Berdych took to social media to confirm that he will be making an announcement. Although he did not specify as to what it will be. The Czech hasn’t played on the tour since his first-round loss at the US Open due to injury. Overall, he has only managed to play 22 matches this season. Winning 13 of them.

“Hey guys, if you want a surprise don’t watch any media or social networks, but I know it is impossible these days,” Berdych said in a video uploaded to his Twitter account. “I know, these little mistakes happen.”
“I had it planned as a little surprise on Saturday where I’m going to be in London. But now it’s not even possible because it is all over (the news). It’s fine, more information is going to come on Saturday.” He added.

Speculation about Berdych’s retirement from the sport began to gain momentum in September following an interview with idnes.cz. Where he opened up about his struggles with both back and hip injuries.

Playing during the same era as the prestigious big Three of the sport (Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer), Berdych still managed to establish himself as one of the tour’s top players during his career. Winning 13 ATP titles in 32 finals he played in, including the 2005 Paris Masters. Berdych remains the youngest player in history to win a Masters 1000 title. He also finished seven consecutive seasons inside the world’s top 10 (2010-2016) and managed to remain inside the top 100 for an impressive 794 weeks (2004-2019).

Should Berdych retire on Saturday, he ends his career with 640 wins. Including 53 against top 10 opposition. He has featured in 61 grand slam main draws with his stand out performance being a run to the final of the 2010 Wimbledon Championships.

Berdych has earned $29,491,328 in prize money. The ninth highest amount in the history of men’s tennis (as of 11th November 2019).

It was the outcome that many tennis fans wanted at the ATP Finals, but not necessarily Roger Federer.

The chances of the Swiss maestro reaching the semi-finals of the event hangs in the balance ahead of his final round-robin match. Where he will take on nemesis Novak Djokovic. Whilst their head-to-head look deceivingly close at 26-22 in favor of the world No.2, it has been four years since Federer has won a match.

Twice the 38-year-old loss to the Serbian last year in Cincinnati and Paris. Then in July, he was ousted in a marathon encounter at Wimbledon where he failed to convert two championship points.

“I’m excited about playing against him. I’m excited to see how he’s going to play tonight (against Thiem), as well. It’s definitely going to give me some more information about what to expect.” Federer previewed about meeting No.49.
“But other than that, I think I need to focus on my game, what I do best. And regardless of what I need to do, I just hope I play well.”

A lot of happened since their Wimbledon encounter. Earlier this week Djokovic believes his rival will not be mentally affected by what happened at The All England Club. Hailing him as ‘one of the greatest players to ever hold a racket.’ Although Federer is human and undoubtedly there will be some kind of scarring.

“I think we both can take away some confidence from that match. Him obviously a lot. Me maybe a tad bit less.” Federer explained.
“It’s good for me to play him again, and maybe that all helps to get a chance to get him back or whatever it is, but at the end of the day, I’m here for the World Tour Finals and not because of the Wimbledon final.” He added.

This week has so far been a turbulent experience for the 20-time grand slam champion, who lost to Thiem on Sunday. An almost identical scenario to 12 months ago why he lost his opening match to Kei Nishikori before progressing to the semi-finals. Losing to eventual champion Alexander Zverev.

One has to wonder if his losing starts to the London extravaganza is linked to his decision in recent years to reduce his schedule on the tour. Therefore limiting his match play. Excluding the Laver cup, Federer has played two tournaments since the US Open. One of which was in Basel when he won his 103rd tour title.

“I don’t necessarily think I’m a player who now needs a million matches to feel good on that day, but it’s true with every place you go to, it probably takes you two days, five days, three matches to feel perfect.” He admits.
“In the beginning, everybody feels a little bit uncomfortable, and that’s no different for me. It’s just getting used to the conditions, the flight of the ball, the ball pressure, the altitude, whatever comes with it.”

Should Thiem defeat Djokovic on Tuesday evening, he will qualify for the last four. Leaving the two members of the Big Three to fight it out for the other remaining semi-final spot in their group. A mouthwatering prospect for the event organisers.

A breakdown of the rivalry

By tournament

Grand Slams: Djokovic leads 10-6
ATP Finals: Djokovic leads 3-2
Masters 1000: Djokovic leads 11-9
ATP 500 events: Federer leads 4-2
Davis Cup: Federer leads 1-0

By year