Alexander Zverev admits his game still needs improvement after clinching his latest title at the Paris Masters.
The world No.3 disposed of home favourite Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2, to win his first hardcourt Masters title in over three years. Zverev produced a dominant display behind his serve by winning 32 out of 37 points played without facing a break point in the entire match. He is the first German player to win the title since Boris Becker in 1992.
“I won a Masters. I’m obviously very happy about that,” he said.
” I think today in the final, I played a pretty good match. I think solid from the start till the end.”
While Zverev was pleased with his performance, he chose to head to the practice courts shortly after attending the trophy ceremony and before his press conference. It may come across as a bit confusing why a player would do this so soon after winning a trophy. However, for Zverev it is part of a process to improve his level.
“I’m extremely satisfied. I’m happy about it. But as I said at the beginning of the week, for me I want to improve some things for me to achieve my really big goals.” he explained.
“I’m happy with the final. I’m happy with the tournament. Of course I’m sitting here with the trophy from a Masters 1000 event, but there are still some things I want to improve, and this is a process of a few months, and I’m improving for next year already hopefully.”
The 27-year-old has won 66 matches so far this season, which is joint-first on the ATP Tour along with Jannik Sinner. However, the only other title he has won in 2024 was on clay at the Rome Masters.
Zverev’s focus now turns to the ATP Finals in Turin which he will be bidding to win for the third time in his career since 2018. The tournament features the top eight players in the world in a round-robin format with the top two of each group progressing to the semi-finals.
“I think for Turin, everybody becomes motivated. It’s such a special tournament. It’s such a special atmosphere and feeling when you’re there and only eight players in the world are there,” Zverev commented on the season-ending event.
“I think once you’re there, you’re going to give it your best, and everybody else will, as well. At the end of the day, you’re only playing the best eight players in the world. So there is no easy matches, and you have to play your best tennis from the first match on.”
There will be no left-handed players in the singles draw at this year’s ATP Finals which might be a shame for Zverev given his record. After beating Humbert, he improved his perfect record against left-handed players since last year’s French Open to 26-0.
“I obviously grew up with my brother who is a lefty, so this is all I kind of practiced with when I was young.” He said.
“So for me, obviously maybe the topspins, the slice serves and everything like that, I’m maybe more used to it. But still, lefties can be tricky, but everybody else can, as well.”
Zverev will overtake Carlos Alcaraz in the PIF ATP rankings on Monday and claim the No.2 spot.
