Zverev Wins Laver Cup, Then Keeps Playing for Nine Straight Hours to Spare Europe Any Further Embarrassment
Alexander Zverev sealed Team Europe's Laver Cup victory over Team World at London's O2, then refused to leave the court, playing on alone until every last spectator had been escorted out and the arena lights were switched off by hand.
Alexander Zverev sealed Team Europe's Laver Cup triumph at London's O2 on Sunday and then declined to stop playing, informing officials that the trophy presentation could wait until he had personally finished every remaining point of the weekend.
Witnesses said the newly crowned US Open champion, visibly irritated by Learner Tien's clever shot-making, simply refused to accept that the match was over. He served to an empty half of the court for a further nine hours while stewards swept the stands around him, pausing only to demand that the net be lowered by two centimetres so the rallies would feel more honest.
Team Europe's captain was seen carrying a tray of energy drinks onto the baseline at four in the morning. «He told us the scoreboard was lying and that Europe's dignity required at least one more set,» the captain said. «We agreed it was simpler to let him.»
By dawn, Zverev had requisitioned the O2's entire stock of practice balls and hired three local teenagers to retrieve them. Organisers announced that next year's Laver Cup will be extended by a full day in case he does it again, and that the trophy will now be presented only after he has shaken hands with every usher individually.
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