Alexander Zverev’s opponents share tips on how to stop his tricky moves, while Andy Roddick says one move should be banned.
Jimmy Connors thinks the best way to deal with Alexander Zverev’s unusual serving style is to just not let it bother you at all.
Zverev won his second Grand Slam title last week by beating local favorite Ben Shelton in four sets at the US Open, adding to his French Open win from earlier this year.
The 30-year-old has stirred up some controversy because of past abuse claims that were dropped in June 2024 after an out-of-court settlement. He also faced criticism at the US Open for taking a lot of time between serves, especially with how many times he bounces the ball.
At Grand Slams, players have 25 seconds between points, but there’s no limit on how long they can take between their first and second serve. This lets Zverev take as much time as he wants without getting penalized.
Connors, who won the US Open five times, says the best way to handle it is by not letting it get to you. “I was a bouncer too,” he shared on his podcast. “I counted the bounces a lot because of OCD or superstition. He usually bounces between eight and 18 times. Sometimes it’s nine, sometimes 17.”
He added, “You have to remember players deal with a lot of pressure. They want to give their best and play great tennis. Maybe he tries to fix it, but superstitions stick. Venus Williams never stepped on the line, and I always had to end on an even number. Everyone has their own way to get ready for the point.”
Connors believes, “When I played, I never let my opponent’s actions bother me, so don’t let what I do bother you.”
Meanwhile, after losing to Zverev, Shelton said the rules should change to stop players from taking so much time between serves. “If he’s doing it within the 24-second shot clock, what can you say? But there should be a shot clock for the second serve too,” Shelton said on the Served podcast. “You can’t bounce the ball 20 or more times and then wonder why matches end at 3 a.m.”
He suggested, “Maybe you get a few seconds added if you start your first serve later, but there has to be some limit between serves. You can’t just reset the clock every time.”
Zverev’s win shows that Andy Roddick, who won the US Open in 2003, is still the last American to take that title.