As Alexander Zverev stood at the microphone after his straightforward quarter-final win over Rafael Jodar, the German’s words were interrupted by a sudden and violent hailstorm hammering down on the Court Philippe-Chatrier roof. Spring showers had dampened Roland-Garros all week but this was different, a biblical downpour disrupting his victory lap. For many observers it was the sort of thing that was too on-the-nose to be scripted, the heavens opening in disapproval of one of the most controversial players on the tour.
Two things can be true at once: Zverev, a three-time slam finalist and the prohibitive favourite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires on Sunday, is the most complete player left in this draw and the best player of the last decade or more to have never won a major. But his presence on the tour, and at the business end of tournaments, makes a significant section of tennis observers distinctly uncomfortable – including some fans watching courtside, as a heckler at the 2025 Australian Open final made clear.
