Sascha Zverev roasts Roger Federer during the Hopman Cup trophy presentation
Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic beat the German team for the second straight year but Alexander Zverev gave it right back in his post-match speech.
Alexander “Sascha” Zverev and his compatriot Angelique Kerber lost by just one point in the mixed doubles final at the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia, but he didn’t let Roger Federer enjoy his trophy prize with ease, deciding to roast him in hilarious fashion.
https://twitter.com/wwos/status/1081534837356322816
“We’re all tired of you guys already but what can we do?
“Especially you… [pointing at Federer] You’re thirty-whatever. Why? Just why?
“Let us have one, just the Hopman Cup, just once. Anyway, well done to you.”
Federer seemed to take it all in stride, laughing and smiling while the German 21-year-old took shots at him. At the event two years ago, the German had defeated Team Switzerland and it was ever so close this time again coming down to just one point in the Fast4 format in the deciding mixed doubles match.
However, it was the two set loss to Federer that set the stage in the first place, with the young player succumbing to a confident 37-year-old in their singles match, 6-4, 6-2. Federer’s Hopman competing partner, Bencic lost to Kerber, in another close match, 6-4, 7-6(6), with a tight tie-break giving the German woman the win. The mixed doubles bout went to three sets, with some sick shots like this one:
Zverev had evened up the head-to-head stats with Fed last year with some decisive victories, especially finishing up the year at the ATP Finals event as the winner. But that all out the window once the two let loose in their speeches at the Hopman Cup.
“What the hell are you laughing at,” joked Zverev at one point, which prompted a mock, serious face from Fed.
Even Bencic got in on the act, with her own funny speech.
This year’s Hopman Cup had record attendance and also featured the never-before-seen matchup between 37-year-old GOAT’s Federer and Serena Williams in another mixed doubles match. The tournament is a unique event on the tennis circuit, one that features the rare showcase of mixed doubles matches with major tennis stars. There is talk that the Cup might go away to make room for the new ATP Cup. It would be a big shame if that does happen. From the record attendance and the popularity of the event online, hopefully, tennis officials will recognize the demand for such a rare gem on the Tour.
Stay tuned for updates on the Australian Open, which starts on August 14.