“I’ll see what I can do to be at the same level” – Zverev praises Alcaraz’s physical qualities after epic final

Alexander Zverev led two sets to one in the final of Roland-Garros before finally losing to Carlos Alcaraz

Zverev and Alcaraz after 2024 Roland-Garros final © Glenn Gervot / Panoramic

Jérémy Baudu

June 9, 2024

Roland Garros •Final • completed

See draw

A. ZverevvsC. Alcaraz

With a desolate look on his face after his handshake with Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev was understandably very disappointed after losing his second Grand Slam final after a five-set fight. The German led two sets to one but a physical dip in the last two acts was fatal.

With only 22 percent of points won behind his second serve in the fourth set and 17 percent in the fifth, Zverev was unable to make the most of his main weapon which had been crucial to him since the beginning of the tournament. The German lost his serve five times, far too many if he wanted to beat Alcaraz in a Grand Slam final.

In a press conference, the world No 4 explained that he had no regrets and that he had done everything he could on the court on Sunday.

Zverev especially praised the physical qualities of Alcaraz, whom he hopes to be able to match one day. The German player will now go back to work to try to achieve his dream of one day lifting a Grand Slam trophy.

“He played fantastic. He played better than me in the fourth and fifth sets. That’s how it is. I felt like for this Grand Slam final, I had done everything I could.

“At the US Open, I messed it up a bit. It’s a little different. I lost my concentration, and on my serve, I didn’t have the power of my legs, which is weird.”

THE INTENSITY WITH WHICH HE PLAYS TENNIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF OTHER PLAYERS
Alexander Zverev

“Normally, I’m not tired. I don’t have cramps, I’m not tired normally. But again, against Carlos, the intensity is different, so maybe it was a little bit the case. Yes, maybe I need to review my preparation. Maybe I also need to review the way I do things physically. Of course, I think tennis-wise, I was playing well and he was playing well for three sets. After that, I dropped a lot.”

“We’re both physically strong, but he’s a beast. He’s an animal, that’s for sure. The intensity with which he plays tennis is different from that of other players. You know, he can do so many different things, can’t he?

“He’s a fantastic player, and physically he’s fantastic. So, you know, I have to look at myself and look at the team that I have and see, you know, what I can do to be at the same level.”