Rafael Nadal Backs Zverev To Break His Grand Slam Curse

It is only a matter of time before Alexander Zverev achieves a deep run in a grand slam tournament, according to Rafael Nadal.

The two players locked horns in the final of the Italian Open on Sunday. Nadal prevailed 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, during a rain-interrupted match at the Faro Italica. Fighting back from a 1-3 deficit in the decider. The latest triumph is Nadal’s 78th ATP title and will return him back to world No.1 when the official rankings are updated tomorrow.

“It has been an amazing week,” Nadal told atpworldtour.com. “Such an important week to have this trophy with me again after losing in the quarter-finals in Madrid. It was unforgettable and emotional for me. It’s amazing to win eight titles in Rome. It’s a difficult event and to have the chance to win again here means a lot. This is the moment to enjoy winning here again.”

Next up for Nadal and Zverev will be the French Open. Nadal is already a 10-time champion of the tournament, but his German rival is yet to progress beyond the third round. Despite reaching the finals of five Masters 1000 events before his 22nd birthday, Zverev has been less fortunate in the four majors.

“Tennis is tennis in Grand Slams, in Masters, everywhere. It’s impossible not to have a good results in Grand Slams after what he did in Masters, It’s just time.” Nadal said about his opponents chances in grand slam events.

To date, Zverev’s best performance at a grand slam was reaching the last 16 in Wimbledon last year. Following the Rome final, he dodged a question about his presence in the majors. Saying ‘we’ll talk about Paris on Saturday.” That will be when the French Open holds their media day.

Despite the reluctance of the 21-year-old, Nadal is confident that he will get a breakthrough in the big events. Zverev has won 16 out of 18 matches played on the clay so far this season (not counting the Davis Cup). He won back-to-back titles in Munich and Monte Carlo.

“Playing best of five is a big advantage for the best players, and Sascha is one of them. If he doesn’t make any good results in majors in the next years you can come to me and tell me I’m wrong, but I don’t think that will happen.” Nadal stated.

Nadal and Zverev are set to be the top two seeds at Roland Garros. The tournament will get underway next Sunday.

Zverev’s grand slam record