Cramping row in Alcaraz’s epic five-set victory over Zverev at Australian Open

Simon Briggs Fri, 30 January 2026 at 10:31 am UTC·5 min read Carlos Alcaraz survived a crippling bout of cramps – and earned accusations of preferential treatment – as he won one of the most dramatic matches ever played at the Australian Open. Alcaraz’s 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5 victory over Alexander Zverev lasted five hours and 27 minutes, and matched anything that Melbourne Park has ever produced for tension.Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also found Zverev fulminating over the officials’ controversial decision to allow Alcaraz to receive a medical time-out after his right leg locked up at 4-4 in the third set. “He has cramp!” Zverev said, in a tirade at supervisor Andreas Egli...