Zverev Slams Paris 2024 Organization: ‘Tokyo Was Much Better’

German tennis player Aleksander Zverev not only suffered a tough defeat on the court when he was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 Olympics, but he also expressed strong criticism towards the organization of the event, comparing it unfavorably to the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Zverev, who had won the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics, arrived in Paris hoping to defend his title. However, his campaign ended abruptly after falling in a 7-5, 7-5 loss to Italian Lorenzo Musetti. This result left him frustrated, especially when considering the playing conditions and his performance, marked by numerous unforced errors.

But Zverev’s anger was not limited to his performance on the court. In a press conference during the Montreal Masters 1000 event, the German lashed out at the organization of Paris 2024. The Olympic Village was not the best, unfortunately I have to admit it, he stated, before delving into the discomforts he faced during his stay.

I stayed there, just like the entire German team, our federation forced us to do so, Zverev continued, explaining that both he and his teammates suffered with the food and the sleeping conditions. He also highlighted the lack of air conditioning in the rooms, something he considered particularly difficult to cope with due to the high temperatures in Paris.

Zverev went further by comparing the Paris 2024 experience to that of Tokyo 2020: I think Tokyo was much better and the organization was also much better. In Tokyo, Zverev not only won the gold medal, but he also highlighted the level of comfort and the conditions that allowed him to perform at the highest level.

Conclusion

Aleksander Zverev’s scathing criticism of the Paris 2024 Olympics organization highlights the importance of providing athletes with the best possible conditions to perform at their peak. The German’s comparison to the successful Tokyo 2020 Games underscores the need for the Paris organizers to learn from past experiences and ensure a seamless and comfortable environment for the world’s top athletes.

References

Zverev, A. (2024). Press conference at the Montreal Masters 1000 event.