Alexander Zverev: “When my brother told me I was going to play Nadal in the first round, I thought he was joking”

Zverev sera opposé à Nadal, lundi. ANSA – ETTORE FERRARI

Opposé à Rafael Nadal lors du premier tour de Roland-Garros lundi, Alexander Zverev est revenu sur le tirage au sort et le mauvais souvenir lié à leur dernière rencontre à Paris en 2022 lorsque l’Allemand s’était blessé en cours de match.

"While tennis fans must have delighted in seeing the poster from the first round, we know two who must not have appreciated the draw. The hand of Marie-José Pérec effectively put Alexander Zverev on the road to the master of the 14 titles in Paris, Rafael Nadal.

A clash made possible by the fact that the Spaniard, injured for many months in 2023, does not benefit from the protection of a top seed with his 276th in the world currently. All this offering a superb revenge for Zverev, who was injured against the Mallorcan during the semi-final of the 2022 Roland-Garros. 

"I didn't want my last memory to be leaving Chatrier in a wheelchair"

"I’was training during the draw. When my brother told me that I was going to play Nadal in the first round, I thought he was joking, Zverev said at a press conference this Friday the 24th. May.

"Of course I wanted to play it again because I didn't want my last memory to be leaving Chatrier in a wheelchair in 2022. Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz and me, no one wanted face him in the first round. But that’s how it is. It's not ideal but everyone is waiting for this match."