“Easier to be stupid”
After semi-final victory: Zverev’s saying causes a stir
June 6, 2026 – 12:00 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Germany’s best tennis player is in the final of the French Open in Paris. But he has to work hard for it. Shortly after the end of the game, however, he makes the audience laugh – with great irony.
7:5, 6:2, 3:6, 6:3: After a great fight at times and an overall strong performance against Jakub Menšík, Alexander Zverev is in the final of the French Open for the second time in his career. The German third in the world rankings had difficulties with the 20-year-old Czech, especially in the third set, but in the end he clearly prevailed.
- Tennis dream continues: Zverev reaches final in Paris
Now the Hamburg native once again has the chance to finally win the longed-for first Grand Slam title of his career. After the win against Menšík on Friday afternoon, Zverev appeared visibly relaxed in an interview with tournament reporter Alex Corretja directly on the pitch after the game. And made the Paris audience laugh.
“We don’t have anything in mind anyway”
As a final question in the conversation, ex-player Corretja wanted to know from Zverev what goes through his mind when he steps onto the field. Zverev answered ironically: “Nothing is going through my head at that moment,” said the 29-year-old and added: “In general: We are athletes. We don’t have anything on our minds anyway, that’s why…” – causing loud laughter in Court Philippe-Chatrier. “Sometimes it’s easier to be stupid than to think too hard.”
On Sunday, Zverev will now face the Italian Flavio Cobolli, who made it to the final without a fight because his compatriot Matteo Arnaldi withdrew with a virus infection before the planned semi-final on Friday. It is the fourth Grand Slam final for the Hamburg native. He had already lost the final in Paris in 2024, as well as at the Australian Open in 2025 and at the US Open in 2020.