Alexander Zverev senses the chance of the really big coup, but for that he has to dethrone clay court king Rafael Nadal. The Grand Slam record champion hides great pain at what may be his last French Open.
When Alexander Zverev had long since cleaned up his Chinese broccoli noodles after his spectacular entry into the semi-finals in Paris, Rafael Nadal was still sitting in the catacombs of the Court Philippe Chatrier on one of those “unforgettable nights”. At two o’clock early on Wednesday morning, the Grand Slam record winner first pondered the approaching end of his career, before then looking wildly determined at the upcoming cracker against the German number one.
“I don’t know what will happen after this tournament,” said the physically ailing Spaniard, who wants to write history again, perhaps for the last time in Paris – which he did with the 6: 2, 4: 6, 6: 2, 7 : 6 (7: 4) against the world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic impressively underlined. “I am enjoying this very emotional moment for myself and I will do everything to be ready for the semifinals,” said Nadal.
Zverev with almost no expert on the list
The 35-year-old has his doctor in the French capital very close to his side to somehow get the permanent and serious foot problems under control – and Zverev noticed very well before the duel on Friday that this was his opponent’s at least for the long term who also succeeds in matches. The top German player, who would be the new number one in the world if he won his first major in Paris, needs another great one after the 6: 4, 6: 4, 4: 6, 7: 6 (9: 7) against child prodigy Carlos Alcaraz appearance.
Paris is the big chance for the 25-year-old from Hamburg, who was so close to the final coup at the US Open in 2020. After his Olympic victory in Tokyo this season, he stumbled so much and was at times beside himself. And accordingly found its way onto the list of favorites with hardly any experts. “The best thing that could have happened to Zverev was Alcaraz,” said “Eurosport” expert John McEnroe: “No one spoke of Sascha at this tournament.”
First German Grand Slam winner since Becker?
But that’s over now and Zverev feels ready to attack. “In terms of playing quality” he showed what was possibly his best performance ever in a Grand Slam tournament against Alcaraz, said Zverev, who still wants to add something to it – in the end actually being the first German since Boris Becker in Melbourne in 1996 to win a Grand Holding the Slam trophy in the men’s singles.
Physically, Zverev will be back to one hundred percent, the physique of the third in the world rankings is impressive. But he also needs another mental tour de force like against Alcaraz, when Zverev’s body language and presence impressed and spread throughout the arena. “I couldn’t show a lot of emotions because that makes you tired,” he said: “It robs you of your energy.”
This has to be built up again on the two days off with the same routine. So after the statement win over Alcaraz, there was the same meal as after any previous success in Paris. Even if it’s getting monotonous – after the match against Nadal, Zverev would like to have his broccoli noodles on his plate again.