“I’m getting old”
Zverev triggers laughs – because he doesn’t remember his opponent
13.06.2025 – 9:31 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
Alexander Zverev has so far had a flawless record against his next opponent – but no longer knows anything about it. The journalists help him jump.
Alexander Zverev currently has many opponents in their heads – but Brandon Nakashima was none of them at first. At a press conference in Stuttgart, the German tennis professional seemed visibly surprised when he was raised to his previous duels with the American. “I can’t remember a single match that we played,” said Zverev.
It was only when a journalist reminded him of the meeting at the US Open in the previous year that the memory slowly returned. The 27-year-old grinned: “I’m getting old.”
This Friday both meet again in the quarter-finals of the ATP tournament in Stuttgart. For Zverev it has been the first appearance at the lawn event since 2019. So far, his balance sheet against Nakashima has been reading flawlessly: three matches, three victories – including the success mentioned at the US Open 2024.
Despite the clear statistics, Zverev will prepare for the match like every other, explained the world ranking third-and added grinning: “I know him. Apparently I played against him three times.” He would look at a few statistics and wanted to go through his style.
Zverev won his opening match at the Rasmurnier in Stuttgart on Thursday against the Frenchman Corentin Moutet. He has been with the traditional event at the Weissenhof for the first time since 2019.