Tennis Fan Expelled from US Open Match for Disturbing Chants

A startling incident unfolded during a US Open match involving German tennis player Alexander Zverev and Italian competitor Jannik Sinner. In the fourth set, Zverev abruptly halted the match and approached the umpire, James Keothavong, pointing towards a fan in the crowd.

Zverev informed the umpire, "He just said the most famous Hitler phrase there is in this world. It's not acceptable."

Mr. Keothavong promptly sought to identify the individual responsible, but the person remained anonymous. He then implored the spectators in New York to maintain fairness and show respect to both players.

Shortly after, during a changeover while Zverev was on the brink of securing a game, other spectators recognized the disruptive fan and alerted security, resulting in his removal.

Zverev later commented on the incident, saying, "He started singing the anthem of Hitler that was back in the day. It was 'Deutschland Uber Alles,' and it was a bit too much."

The 26-year-old tennis player noted that he had faced derogatory comments in the past but never involving Hitler. He expressed his appreciation for passionate and enthusiastic fans but emphasized the inappropriateness of such behavior, especially given his German heritage and the historical context.

Addressing the incident, US Tennis Association spokesman Chris Widmaier confirmed that a "disparaging remark was directed toward Alexander Zverev," leading to the fan's expulsion from the stadium.

Despite the unsettling interruption, Zverev persevered and ultimately triumphed over the sixth seed, Jannik Sinner, in a grueling four-hour and 41-minute match. This victory secured his spot in the quarter-finals, where he is set to face defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday.