Carlos Alcaraz’s five-set triumph over Alexander Zverev was both thrilling and controversial. The six-time major winner, holding a two-set lead over Zverev with the third set even at 4–4, pulled up limp and appeared to be struggling with cramps or a leg injury. Alcaraz, to the chagrin of an irate Zverev, received a medical timeout and was twice treated by the tournament physiotherapist as the German tennis player vehemently argued with the chair umpire and tournament officials.
The reason for Zverev’s anger? A medical timeout is a formal stoppage of play and is typically three minutes in duration. According to the Grand Slam rulebook, players are not allowed to receive a medical timeout for muscle cramping. They are only permitted to receive treatment for cramps during normal changeovers—60 second sitdowns between games—a maximum of three times. The final decision on treatment, including whether it should be administered at all, rests with the tournament medical staff, not the player.
