Alexander Zverev clarifies his words about Jannik Sinner
Alexander Zverev in a press conference in Rome after his victory against Blockx returned to his words about Jannik Sinner, uttered after the Madrid final. On the occasion, the very frustrated German tennis player had stated that Sinner was at a level apart, unreachable for him. Many insiders pointed to him as starting already beaten when he faces the world number one.
Zverev wanted to return to that concept, specifying that Carlos Alcaraz’s injury has changed a lot especially for the Azzurro, now clearly the number one favorite: “Carlos on clay, when he is fit, is at the same level or even better than Jannik, especially at Roland Garros, where he has already won twice. But now Sinner is clearly the favorite in every tournament.”
“For me, the important thing is to focus on what I can control and try to improve to beat Jannik. But before thinking about a possible final, you have to win the next six matches,” said the world number three.
“I face one match at a time. That is the most important thing. Don’t look too far ahead and focus on what I can control,” the German tennis player continued. Zverev explained that he carries out specific training sessions specifically to deal with the South Tyrolean: “But maybe right now they are not working very well for me… I have been on the circuit for a long time and I still feel that I am improving and that I can continue to do so every year.”
Zverev’s words come after a period of strong criticism of him. The one in Madrid had been a final that lasted just 58 minutes, with Sinner demolishing the German in almost embarrassing fashion. Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, speaking at the microphones of Spanish broadcaster Onda Cero, had harsh words: “I had the feeling that Zverev had already come onto the court with a weight on him, almost resigned. Sinner made it clear to Zverev that he was superior to him in everything. Jannik is a solid and continuous player, he completely erased Zverev’s confidence: when you lack confidence it becomes very complicated to play with everyone.”
