Paris, Roland Garros – The young Spanish tennis prodigy, Carlos Alcaraz , is at the center of a huge controversy rocking the world of tennis. After achieving a resounding victory in the third round of Roland Garros against Italian Giulio Zeppieri , Alcaraz made statements that could land him a three-month suspension from the professional circuit.
According to sources close to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and reported by European sports media, Alcaraz’s comments have been deemed “potentially damaging to the image of professional tennis” and are being evaluated under the Players’ Code of Conduct .
During the post-match press conference, Alcaraz expressed his frustration with what he described as Zeppieri’s “constantly unsportsmanlike behavior.” However, what really raised alarm bells was one particular statement:
“If it weren’t for the judges, this guy wouldn’t even be competing in a Grand Slam. I don’t respect his game or his behavior on the court.”
These words, which quickly went viral on social media, have sparked a wave of criticism from both fans and former players. Some have defended Alcaraz’s sincerity, while others believe he crossed an unacceptable line for an elite athlete.
Giulio Zeppieri’s team responded with a brief official statement calling Alcaraz’s remarks “regrettable and offensive” and asking tournament organizers for a formal review of the incident. “Giulio has shown respect on the court and does not deserve this type of personal attack,” they stated.
If the sanction is confirmed, Alcaraz would miss key tournaments on the calendar, including Wimbledon and some Masters 1000 events leading up to the US Open. This situation would jeopardize his current position in the ATP rankings , where he remains among the top three in the world.
Sports legal experts indicate that the sanction will depend on whether there is “verbal abuse” toward another player, a sensitive point in the ATP regulations.
Meanwhile, on social media platforms like Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok , the hashtag #AlcarazZeppieri is trending worldwide. Fans are divided: some support the Spaniard’s passion and honesty, while others demand a public apology.
Carlos Alcaraz, considered by many to be Rafael Nadal’s natural heir, could see his brilliant career tarnished by a moment of chaos. Now, all eyes are on the decision the ATP will make in the coming days.
