MELBOURNE, JAN 30: Carlos Alcaraz said he did not think he had cramp initially when he took a medical timeout that left Alexander Zverev fuming in their marathon Australian Open semi-final on Friday.
The Spanish world number one fought through 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-7 (4/7), 7-5 over a monumental 5hrs 27 mins in Melbourne to send the gutsy German third seed home.
There was controversy when Alcaraz pulled up in pain clutching his right thigh at 4-4 in the third set.
He was allowed to have treatment at the changeover, leaving Zverev furious and angrily remonstrating with officials.
Medical timeouts are not permitted solely for muscle cramping.
"He was cramping, so normally you can't take a medical timeout for cramping," said Zverev.
"What can I do? It's not my decision. I didn't like it, but it's not my decision." "AFP
