Zverev stayed up until 3:30 a.m. to watch a classic match: 'I didn't go to bed' – Is it carelessness?

Alexander Zverev, the top seed and world No. 2, admitted in a press conference that he stayed up until 3:30 a.m. to watch the quarterfinal between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz at the 2026 US Open. 'I watched Shelton–Alcaraz until 3:30 a.m. last night. I did not go to bed,' Zverev said. He explained that he could sleep in until 1 p.m., but the story immediately sparked debate: should a player in a Grand Slam run sacrifice sleep for a match that isn't his own? Context: The 2026 US Open is unfolding with high drama. Zverev, 29, who just won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros this season, is the leading contender for the New York title. However, he has already played two five-set matches in the opening rounds, consuming significant energy. Meanwhile, the Shelton–Alcaraz match is considered one of the best of the tournament: Shelton won in five sets 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7), eliminating the two-time champion Alcaraz. Zverev, as the only remaining Grand Slam champion in the draw, faces considerable pressure heading into his semifinal against Karen Khachanov. Core analysis: Two consecutive five-set matches have accumulated substantial match load. For a tall player like Zverev (1.98m), fatigue typically affects his movement and return game more than his serve. Staying up late to watch a match may not immediately harm an elite athlete, but combined with two five-setters, it creates a small recovery debt before the semifinal. Numbers don't lie. We just have to ask the right questions: will this sleep loss affect Zverev's return points won percentage against a heavy hitter like Khachanov? Contrarian angle: The crowd may rush to conclude that Zverev is being careless. But there is another reading: his comfort in sharing this habit suggests confidence. In a tournament where the bottom half features an all-American semifinal between Shelton and Frances Tiafoe – a huge media story – Zverev may be reducing his own pressure. He is not the center of attention. This could be psychologically beneficial. The beat keeper doesn't chase rumors; he observes and waits for data to confirm. Takeaway: The semifinal between Zverev and Khachanov will be the real test. If Zverev wins quickly in three sets, the late-night story will be forgotten. If he loses, it will become a scrutinized detail. But as always, I won't rush to a conclusion. Let the numbers speak after the match ends.