Kiefer criticizes Zverev and Thiem: "Questioning whether they have anything other than tennis balls in their heads
Ex-tennis professional Nicolas Kiefer has sharply criticized Germany's top player Alexander Zverev (23) and Austrian world rankings third Dominic Thiem (26) for their behavior during the controversial Adriatic tour .
by SID / tennisnet
last edit: Jun 25, 2020, 03:21 pm
"You have to touch your head and ask yourself what a Zverev, a Thiem and many other players thought when they made such an appearance," Kiefer told the news portal t-online .
Serbian professional Victor Troicki "even traveled with his pregnant wife", added Kiefer: "You wouldn't have done that with common sense." The coronavirus had been found in Troicki and his wife. The same was true for three other professionals including the co-organizer and world number one Novak Djokovic .
Kiefer is surprised that Zverev and Thiem even agreed to the show tour. You are actually well advised. "But if the two top ten players are so naive and still participate, you really have to question whether they have anything else in mind than tennis balls," said the 42-year-old.
Straka: "If Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal calls, you just come"
Thiem's manager Herwig Straka is annoyed by the impression and especially the course of the event. He previously insisted on getting clear Covid 19 guidelines, he told Der Standard. "It was a must that a maximum of 1,000 viewers be allowed to come, social distancing was guaranteed. Only under these conditions did I release Dominic," said Straka.
The players went there "for the sake of Djokovic". "He used to call her all the time," said Straka. "It was out of the control of a manager, it's about relationships and friendships among the players. If Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal calls, you get there."
Zverev had apologized when he left Zadar / Croatia, despite a negative test he went into domestic isolation. Thiem, who tested several times negatively, is also sorry for his behavior during the Adriatic tour. "We trusted the Serbian government's corona rules, but we were too optimistic," wrote the third in the world rankings from Austria on Instagram on Thursday.
Thiem is currently back on the field at the Generali Austrian Pro Series, after which show combats in Nice, Belgrade, Kitzbühel and Berlin are on the program. Zverev is also registered in Berlin.