Alexander Zverev’s Opponent Makes Feelings Clear After Shanghai Masters Win: 'Guys End Up With Cramps'

Lightning does strike twice sometimes. And it happened at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, with Alexander Zverev being on the wrong end of it. A grueling R32 encounter that lasted 2 hr 12 minutes eventually saw the World No. 3 fall to Arthur Rinderknech, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6.

A big win for the Frenchman, just his second win against the top-5, but both coming against Zverev. However, one talking that had to be covered in the on-court post-match interview was the harsh conditions the players were playing in. The hot and humid weather of Shanghai has already resulted in big upset results, be it injuries or defeats, with most players complaining. And Rinderknech had the same words as his colleagues.

Tennis Legend’s X handle shared the Frenchman’s statements: “It’s tough! It’s tough for everyone,” Rinderknech said after beating Alexander Zverev. “Half the matches don’t go the full distance. Half the matches, the guys end up with cramps.” Talking about his own match and how draining it was, the World No. 54 said, “We use an incredible number of polo (shirts) at each match. Fortunately, the laundry here works very well. I’m going to do a lot of laundry for the next match.”