Alexander Zverev stops play to demand fan is removed from the US Open arena over Adolf Hitler slur – before security escort man out in latest New York crowd embarrassment

Alexander Zverev’s late US Open round of 16 match against Jannik Sinner was marred by an alleged racist slur against the German No. 12 seed.

Zverev and Sinner were embroiled in an enthralling fourth-round tie in the early morning hours in New York when the former complained to the referee about a comment he overheard in the seconds before a point.

Microphones on the right heard Zverev – a native of Hamburg – tell British referee James Keothavong that a fan “said the most famous Hitler line to me” before adding: “It’s unacceptable.”

In response, the referee turned in his chair to address directly to the most expensive seats on the right, asking the perpetrator to identify himself.

When no one confesses, Keothavong made an announcement to the entire crowd to respect the players, while security was dispatched to the area to try and remedy the unsavory situation.

Jannik Sinner was Zverev’s opponent in the tough match, which continued well into the night

Play continued, before the cameras returned to the stands a few minutes later to show a middle-aged man being approached by security and then led out of the arena – much to the delight of the fans around him.

It’s unclear what exactly the man allegedly said, and whether the man depicted by ESPN cameras was the fan who allegedly made this slur.

It is not the first public incident at this year’s US Open, with Daniil Medvedev openly criticizing the noise of the supporters after one of his matches.

“Thanks to all those who didn’t shout between my first and second serve,” he told the crowd after beating Sebastian Baez.

“However, there was an onlooker, maybe he has a girlfriend or a wife who I don’t know how she will sleep… He was extremely excited and will say Vamos, vamos, vamos all night long, without ever stopping. I’m sorry for him.’

The crowd in New York was boisterous throughout the tournament. There is nothing to indicate that the men pictured above have been involved in any wrongdoing.

Fans watch Carlos Alcaraz’s match against Matteo Arnaldi on Monday afternoon

Elsewhere, other fans have commented on the “wild” atmosphere on offer, especially over Labor Day weekend in the Big Apple.

In the match itself, Zverev won the first set on Monday evening against his Italian opponent Sinner, who is in sixth place and is going into the fourth round match as favorite.

Sinner fought back to the level of one set-all, before Zverev made the most of his opponent’s injuries to take the third set.

However, when all looked lost for Sinner with 1am approaching in the Big Apple, he won the fourth set to force a decider.