US Open 2025: Jacob Fearnley compares disruptive Alexander Zverev behaviour to experience with Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon

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Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley fell at the second hurdle at the 2025 US Open, lamenting his lack of experience on the big stage after the 6-4 6-4 6-4 defeat to Alexander Zverev. But the British No. 3 was also left unhappy by the German's lateness prior to their meeting on Thursday, comparing Zverev's behaviour to that which he experienced against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in July 2024.

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Jacob Fearnley was unhappy with Alexander Zverev's lateness before his second-round defeat at the US Open.

The Brit also noted that Novak Djokovic was guilty of the same behaviour when he was knocked out of Wimbledon in July 2024.

Fearnley lost 6-4 6-4 6-4 to the German on Thursday, recording 12 double faults to his opponent's four and making 17 more unforced errors.

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While the 24-year-old admitted the occasion may have got the better of him, he also complained about Zverev forcing him to wait for 10 minutes before entering the court.

"I kind of expected it," Fearnley said. "I mean, it was the same [against Zverev] in Australia, and he is always like, ‘I’m sorry about that’, but he knows what he’s doing.

"It was the same with Novak [Djokovic] in Wimbledon. They take their time, which is... I don’t know if it’s within the rules or not.

"I don’t really know what the rule is, I just don’t. If they call me, I show up, because I don’t necessarily know what’s going to happen.

"But no, he’s well within his rights to take his time. I kind of expected it. My coach expected it. Every time I played him, he kind of did the same."

In the end, Fearnley was broken five times across the course of the match, which lasted two hours and 28 minutes.

And the British men's No. 3 will have to wait until next season to make another attempt at reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam, having been knocked out in the third at both the Australian and French Open this year.

Fearnley believes his lack of experience on big stages may have contributed to his below-par performance.

"In practice, I can sit there all day and make 100-second serves in a row. It’s not an issue," said Fearnley.

"But there’s just something about seeing the lights, seeing the courts, that gets a little bit tricky. And also having Alex Zverev on the other side of the net, and with that noise, that crowd, it’s sometimes difficult.

"I’ll keep working on it, but I’ll figure it out eventually. I know there are a lot of players that have had similar things in the past, but they’ve seemed to work through and I’m sure I’ll do the same."

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As for his game plan, much in the same way Zverev's lateness caused the Brit consternation, Fearnley said he tried to "disrupt" his opponent as much as possible.

"I think it was pretty obvious what I was trying to do – come to the net and disrupt his rhythm – because I think he’s just very, very solid and he’s not going to give me much," Fearnley said.

"And then I was obviously fluctuating, and it’s tough to kind of keep that level throughout the whole match. And I gave myself chances, but I just didn’t capitalise.

"Obviously he’s a great player, so can’t be too disappointed, I guess."

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