Alexander Zverev was seen in a heated exchange with chair umpire Greg Allensworth as he argued he wasn’t given enough time between points during his Miami Open semifinal against Jannik Sinner. At one point, Zverev received a time violation, a decision that drew jeers from the crowd.
Alexander Zverev Clashes With Umpire Over Time Violation in Miami Open Semifinal
Zverev, fresh off a commanding 6-1, 6-2 quarterfinal win over Francisco Cerundolo, appeared ready to halt Jannik Sinner’s dominance. Their Miami Open semifinal marked the 12th meeting on tour, with Sinner having claimed the previous six. The match was a crucial opportunity for Zverev to shift the momentum, even if only slightly, in their rivalry.
However, the Italian remained focused on completing the Sunshine Double and never appeared off his game in the summit clash. He claimed the first set 6-3 and, despite resistance in the second, edged it 7-6(4) in the tiebreak to reach the Miami Open final. With the victory, Sinner extended his dominance over Zverev, leading their head-to-head 8-4 and recording his seventh consecutive win against the German.
However, beyond the defeat, another source of frustration emerged for Zverev during the match. While trailing 4-1 in the opening set, the German was seen arguing with umpire Allensworth over not being given sufficient time between points against Sinner.
The official responded that Zverev had already exceeded the time limit twice, prompting the German to reply, “I was. I know which ones you’re talking about… on the Ad side. I was.”
Zverev complaining to umpire Greg Allensworth that he’s not giving him enough time between points in his match against Jannik Sinner in Miami.
Umpire: “The two times you went over, you weren’t waiting on him.”
Zverev: “I was. I know which ones you’re talking about… on the Ad… pic.twitter.com/CLvpMg1PeV
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 27, 2026
Players must adhere to a strict time limit between points, typically 25 seconds, to keep the match flowing. If a player delays beyond this window, the chair umpire first issues a warning. Continued violations then lead to penalties, such as the loss of a first serve or even a point, depending on the situation.
The tension, however, did not subside, as another flashpoint unfolded in the second set. Serving at 3-3, 40-30, the World No. 4 was handed a time violation, a call that drew loud jeers from the crowd. In response, Zverev pointed toward the chair umpire and said, “That’s for you.”
Zverev just received a time violation warning in the 2nd set at 3-3 40-30 serving against Jannik Sinner in Miami.
The crowd starts booing.
Zverev to the umpire: “That’s for you”
💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/kU7FLHQ48E
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 28, 2026
With his victory over the German, Jannik Sinner moved within one win of clinching the Miami Open title. The World No. 2 will next take on rapidly rising Czech star Jiří Lehečka in the final.
Sinner, however, heads into the summit clash with a clear edge, having won all three of their previous meetings, and also carries strong statistical backing, with PFSN’s simulator giving him a 91% chance of lifting the trophy.
