Following his triumph at the Italian Open, Alexander Zverev has shared his thoughts on the upcoming French Open and the form of tennis heavyweights Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Zverev clinched his sixth ATP Masters 1000 title at the Italian Open, defeating Nicolas Jarry in a commanding 6-4, 7-5 victory in the final.
The German’s win also secured him the World No. 4 ranking as he gears up for the claycourt Major at Roland Garros. Amidst speculation surrounding Djokovic and Nadal’s recent performances, Zverev remains confident in their abilities to excel on the Parisian clay.
“Nole is going to be at his best. You’ll see. It’s just the way it is. Rafa is going to play a lot better than he did in Madrid and Rome. I’m certain about that,” Zverev expressed in his post-match press conference.
Despite Nadal’s early exits from both the Madrid Open and Italian Open, Zverev believes the Spaniard will elevate his game when it matters most at Roland Garros. Similarly, he anticipates Djokovic, despite any setbacks, to showcase his trademark prowess in Paris.
Moreover, Zverev weighed in on the prospects of rising stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, both of whom missed the Italian Open due to injuries. He emphasized the importance of their health in determining their performance at the French Open.
“The other two, they just depend on health. If they’re healthy, they’re two of the best players in the world, for sure, and there’s no question about it. Whether or not they are healthy, I cannot answer because I don’t know. I’m not inside their body,” Zverev remarked.
He noted Sinner’s recent return to practice, suggesting that the Italian youngster might be on track for a strong showing at Roland Garros if he maintains his fitness. Zverev highlighted the undeniable talent of both Sinner and Alcaraz, acknowledging their potential to pose significant threats at the Major if they are in optimal condition.
As the tennis world eagerly anticipates the French Open, Zverev’s insights offer a glimpse into the mindset of players as they prepare to battle on the clay courts of Roland Garros. With Djokovic and Nadal aiming to reclaim their dominance and rising stars like Sinner and Alcaraz poised to make their mark, the stage is set for an exhilarating tournament filled with captivating performances and thrilling matches.
Jannik Sinner in 2024
Ranked no.2 (career-high), Sinner played his last match on the 30th
of April when he beat world no.18 Karen Khachanov 5-7 6-3 6-3 in the 4th round in Madrid (draw).At present, during this year Jannik has managed to achieve an overall 28-2 record. Sinner conquered 3 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam and Miami.
Alexander Zverev in 2024
Ranked no.4, Alexander played his last match on the 19th of May when he overcame world no.16 Nicolas Jarry 6-4 7-5
in the final in Rome to win his 23rd career title.This season Zverev has managed to achieve an overall 28-9 win-loss record. Zverev conquered 2 titles in 2024 in Australia and Rome.
Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev clashed against each other 5 times. Their head to head is 4-1 for Zverev. Before, the last time they competed against each other, Alexander Zverev won 6-4 3-6 6-2 4-6 6-3 in the 4th round in New York (U.S. Open) in September 2023.
Here are the highlights.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
Currently ranked no.3, Carlos played his last match on the 1st of May when he lost to world no.6 Andrey Rublev 4-6 6-3 6-2 in the quarter in Madrid (draw).
This season Carlos has a 18-5 record. This year, Alcaraz conquered 1 tournament in Indian Wells.
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Currently ranked no.276, the Spaniard played his last match on the 11th of May when he was overcome by world no.8 Hubert Hurkacz 6-1 6-3 in the 2nd round in Rome (draw).
Presently, during this year Nadal has a 7-4 win-loss record.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Nadal. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2 1-6 6-3 in the quarter in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) in May 2022.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |