Zverev on Upsets: Balls Are Uncontrollable

By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, August 6, 2026
Photo credit: Peter Powers/Tennis Canada/National Bank Open Facebook

Unruly balls will contribute to unpredictable results in Monreal, said Alexander Zverev.

Tallon Griekspoor toppled the top-seeded Zverev 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 in his National Bank Open opener on Wednesday.

Afterward, Zverev said uncontrollable tennis balls, steamy conditions and the fact this was his first North American summer hard court match contributed to his demise.

“The balls are just not controllable,” Zverev said. “It’s the same every year. It’s nothing new.
The Wilson balls are difficult, but again, that’s not the reason I lost today. I think I’m just not in form yet that I was the last couple of months. I need to train, I need to practice and to find that rhythm again.”

The Montreal field, already depleted by pre-tournament withdrawals of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz and Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic, saw Top 10 seeds Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli and Taylor Fritz, who won the Washington, DC title on Monday, all fall at the first hurdle. Additionally, 2025 US Open semifinalist and Canadian hero Felix Auger-Aliassime was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Zverev said expect the unexpected results to continue this week.

“I think with the conditions and the balls, I think there is going to be some strange-ish results, ranking wise, player wise, that you maybe don’t expect during other tournaments,” Zverev said. “And, again, it’s the first hard court event for us in a couple of months. I think everybody is still trying to find their form.”