ALEXANDER ZVEREV barked “I’m f***ing tired of you” after losing to Taylor Fritz in the Stuttgart Open final.
The German, 28, has struggled against the American over the last 12 months.
Fritz, 27, endured an awful clay court season, winning just three matches in four events amid physical struggles.
But he has appeared to be a man revitalised on the grass of Stuttgart this week, beating Quentin Halys, Marton Fucsovics, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Zverev to lift the title.
Fritz’s 6-3 7-6 triumph in the final was his fifth in a row against Zverev during the last year.
In his runner-up speech during the trophy ceremony, spiky Zverev joked: “Last but not least, Taylor, I’m f***ing tired of you.
“I don’t wanna see you again over the next two to three years. Please stay away from me. Don’t come to Germany anymore.
“No, well done you deserve to win this title.
“You are one of the best players in the world on this surface and you were much better than me today, so congrats to the whole team and I’m sure you are going to do incredible on the next two tournaments on grass, so well done.”
Fritz smiled sheepishly while sat in his chair during Zverev’s speech.
After the match, the US Open runner-up posted on X: “what is Clay ?”
Following his defeat to Fritz at Wimbledon last year, 6ft 6in Zverev complained about a member of his opponent’s player box, thought to be girlfriend Morgan Riddle.
During his post-match press conference, the three-time Grand Slam runner-up huffed: “His team is extremely respectful. I think his coach, his physio and also his second coach were extremely respectful.
“But I think there are some other people that, maybe, are in the box that are not, maybe from the tennis world and are not, maybe, particularly watching every match.
“They were a bit over the top but that’s okay. No issues, no drama. He fought back from two sets to love so they are obviously all excited, very pumped up.
“But no issues with Taylor. I think Taylor is a great guy and I have no issues with him.”
At the time, Morgan shared an Instagram reel toasting and sipping her drink in a white dress and navy jacket, captioned: “When your man wins for the girls.”
Fritz has since beaten Zverev at the US Open, Laver Cup and ATP Finals.
The former Wimbledon quarter-finalist is set to be in action in London next week.
Fritz will head to the Queen’s Club to play in the HSBC Championships, and has drawn Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the first round.
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