Alexander Zverev is now aware his slow serving routine is a problem, and he plans to fix it. Zverev received a time violation from umpire Mohamed Lahyani during the second set of his Shanghai Masters semi-final against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

The 29-year-old German was punished for taking too long to serve while leading 7-5, 2-1. After holding serve, Zverev complained to the umpire.

Zverev has been bouncing the ball many times before serving, which frustrated many opponents during his run to the US Open. He also received time violations during that tournament but continued the practice.

Now, the two-time Grand Slam champion says he is adjusting to reduce the number of bounces to avoid distracting his opponents. Zverev addressed the criticism following his 6-4, 6-4 victory over Alex de Minaur in the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

The German discussed the time taken before serving with the chair umpire. "He was telling me to look at the shot clock when I was serving.

I'm bouncing the ball a lot this year," Zverev said. "It started at the US Open.

I don't know why it started. I'm very well aware of it, and I'm trying to work on it."

"I feel like it is a bit unnecessary from my end," he added. The German has enjoyed a successful season, winning Roland Garros and the US Open for the first two Grand Slam titles of his career.

Zverev has also secured the year-end world No. 1 ranking for the first time. This achievement marks a significant milestone in his professional journey, cementing his status as a dominant force in modern tennis.

Despite the recent controversy regarding his serving routine, Zverev remains focused on maintaining his performance levels. He acknowledges that technical adjustments are part of the sport and is committed to refining his game.

The tennis community has been closely watching his progress, noting that his ability to adapt under pressure will be crucial for his future success in upcoming tournaments. As the season draws to a close, Zverev's commitment to addressing these minor infractions shows his dedication to fair play and professional standards on the court.