Alexander Zverev sends a message to Jannik Sinner

Alexander Zverev spoke after his victory over João Fonseca earned him a place in the top four on clay in Monte Carlo: “I don’t know,” the German explained warmly, “if it was a great match from both of us, for the level expressed. It’s not easy, especially in this first week on clay.”

“The best set was the third and it is important to grow during the match. On clay I perhaps struggle more to find my rhythm, but I am still happy to be in the semifinals. Sometimes the timing is lacking, yes, but better not to be perfect and make it to the semifinals than to be perfect and go out right away. The first week on clay, after the American season on cement, is always complicated. It’s like we haven’t played on this surface for almost a year, 11 months now.”

“In the first round I had not played well, then I grew progressively: yesterday was better and today, against Fonseca, I took another step forward. We will see how far I can go,” added the one who will be Sinner’s next rival should the South Tyrolean win his quarterfinal match.

The German also had important words for his young opponent: “First of all, he is an extraordinary talent. All of us top players are seeing him emerge, and very quickly. Soon he will be a permanent part of our group. He is already a complete player, although he still has to improve a lot, as is normal at his age. I am sure he will progress quickly.”