Alexander Zverev spoke about Carlos Alcaraz’s intensity after the German lost in a five set rollercoaster match to the Spaniard.
The German was two sets to one up against Alcaraz but ultimately lost 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 to the world number three.
This is now the second time Zverev has lost a Grand Slam final from a winning position after he lost the US Open final in 2020 from two sets up.
Despite the similar scenarios Zverev said today was a bit different and unlike in 2020 and didn’t give up as much as he did in 2020, “I mean, I feel like I did everything I could today,” Zverev said in his press conference.
“There was some unlucky moments. I heard that at 2-1 the second serve was out. From the Hawk-Eye data, I saw that. I break back there, I have break chances, and then in the next service game, a fifth set can go the other way.
“But it is what it is. Look, he played fantastic. He played better than me the fourth and fifth set. It’s how it is. I felt like this Grand Slam final I did everything I could. At the US Open I kind of gave it away myself. It’s a bit different.”
Zverev was on the end of some brutal calls in the fifth set but ultimately he came out second best as his Grand Slam title wait goes on.
Describing Alcaraz’s performance the German described him as an animal and praised the world number three’s intensity, “We’re both physically strong, but he’s a beast. He’s an animal, for sure,” the Spaniard explained.
“The intensity he plays tennis at is different to other people. You know, he can do so many different things, right? I think he changed his tactic a lot in the fifth set, started to play a lot higher, a lot deeper for me to not create as much power.
“Especially with the shadows on the court, it was slower again. But he’s a fantastic player, and physically he’s fantastic. So, you know, I have to look at myself and I have to look at the team that I have and see, you know, what I can do to become at the same level.”
After a successful clay court season, Zverev will now aim to continue the momentum onto the grass court season.
Currently Zverev is entered into Stuttgart but the German had admitted he may not play, “Well, look, I don’t know yet. The chances of me playing Stuttgart are close to the chances of me going back out there and winning the final now, sort of like repeating the time. But we’ll see,” Zverev stated.
“I have a thing with FlowBank tomorrow in Switzerland that I’ll go to, and then I’ll probably fly to Berlin, because I have, you know, a very important person I want to see there, which I always do after tournaments. Then we’ll see.”
Should Zverev elect to play then he will either face Christopher Eubanks or Brandon Nakashima in his opening round match on Thursday.
