Sports · Tennis · 10 hrs ago
Zverev’s late arrival forces Shelton and Hewitt to move courts in Shanghai
Alexander Zverev arrived more than an hour late for a scheduled practice session at the Shanghai tennis tournament.
Ben Shelton and 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt had been due to train on the same court, but they moved to another one after Zverev arrived.
Fans at the replacement court had a poorer view and could watch only from behind a fence.
The incident drew angry reactions on social media and in Chinese media, with some fans criticizing Zverev’s conduct.
Hewitt is the son of former world number one Lleyton Hewitt and is seen as a promising young Australian player.
Zverev was also competing in the tournament’s last 16, where he beat Quentin Halys in three sets.
The account does not say whether tournament officials responded or whether any further action is planned.
Alexander Zverev reportedly arrived more than an hour late for training in Shanghai and took over a court booked for Ben Shelton and Cruz Hewitt.
Shelton and Hewitt moved to another court, where fans had a worse view and could watch only from behind a fence.
The incident drew criticism on social media and in Chinese media.
Zverev later beat France’s Quentin Halys in the Shanghai round of 16.
- Who
- Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton and Cruz Hewitt.
- What
- Zverev reportedly arrived late and continued training on a court planned for Shelton and Hewitt, who moved to another court.
- When
- Sunday, October 11, 2026. The scheduled training times were 10:30 for Zverev and 12:00 for Shelton and Hewitt.
- Where
- A training court at the Shanghai tennis venue.
- Why
- Not stated. The article says Shelton and Hewitt had to move after Zverev continued training on their planned court.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Is this seriously not bullying?
I can confirm that everything in this post is true. I was there yesterday.
Zverev’s training partner was so bored waiting for him that he even started jumping rope on the court.
Zverev’s training session was scheduled to begin on court 5.
Zverev reportedly arrived more than an hour late, about ten minutes before Shelton and Hewitt’s planned session.
Shelton and Hewitt were due to train and moved to another court after Zverev continued on court 5.
Zverev beat Quentin Halys in the Shanghai round of 16, 6-4, 6-8 (8-10), 6-3.
- Scheduled Zverev training
- 10:30
- Shelton and Hewitt training
- 12:00
- Court
- Court 5, Shanghai
- Alternate viewing conditions
- Fans watched from behind a fence
- Round-of-16 result
- Zverev beat Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-8 (8-10), 6-3
Sources
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