Alcaraz Grills Zverev Over 'Stupid' US Open Championship Point Moment

'I THOUGHT IT WAS 5-1'

Alexander Zverev has revealed to Carlos Alcaraz what was going through his head as he served for the US Open title against Ben Shelton earlier this month: nothing at all. Zverev secured his first Flushing Meadows title in four sets but returned to the baseline as if preparing for another point after Shelton's return sailed long on championship point, appearing not to register that the match was over.

"I thought it was 5-1," Zverev said after Alcaraz quizzed him about the moment as the two prepared for the Laver Cup. "If it were 5-2, I'd have been so nervous, for sure. There was completely nothing in my head. This is what helps, you know? When you're stupid, it helps," Zverev added, laughing. Alcaraz, who had been watching from home after his own quarterfinal exit, said he was baffled in the moment: "I was watching at home, and I was like, 'what the heck?'"

LAVER CUP TEAMMATES, ONCE AGAIN

Zverev and Alcaraz are both part of Yannick Noah's Team Europe, which is attempting to reclaim the Laver Cup after last year's defeat to Team World in San Francisco. The three-day event begins Friday in London and also features Casper Ruud, Flavio Cobolli, Jakub Mensik and Rafael Jodar for Europe. Andre Agassi's Team World lineup includes Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Learner Tien, Brandon Nakashima, Alexander Bublik and Francisco Cerundolo, with Nakashima stepping in after Ben Shelton's withdrawal to make his Laver Cup debut.

De Minaur, fresh off leading Australia to a Davis Cup win over Poland in Brisbane despite a second-round exit at the US Open, said he's ready to carry that team momentum into London. "I know the tennis is there, it hasn't gone anywhere. I've just got to step up and keep doing what I'm doing," the world No. 9 said. He has never lost a Laver Cup singles match and credits the format for bringing out his best: "It's a different environment and I think I thrive in these types on environments, team competitions. It's a little bit different to your day to day on tour. The pressure is different. I'd say it's probably more in team events because you're not just playing for yourself, you're playing for the boys around you and I think that brings out the best in me."

WHY IT MATTERS

The lighthearted exchange between two of the sport's biggest rivals-turned-teammates sets the tone heading into a Laver Cup where Team Europe will be looking to Zverev's Grand Slam-winning form, and Alcaraz's return from a quarterfinal disappointment, to help reclaim the trophy from Team World in London.