Alexander Zverev Recalls Matches Against Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic in Rome: “Very Lucky to Face Them”

Alexander Zverev is all set to start his campaign at the Italian Open, where he is a two-time champion. In his only second appearance back in 2017, Zverev defeated Novak Djokovic in the final. He finished as the runner-up the following season, losing to Rafael Nadal. Zverev reached the title clash once again, this time in 2024, and finished the match in his favor against Nicolas Jarry.

In the same tournament, though not in the final rounds, Sascha also met Roger Federer in the third round. So it’s a tournament, where Zverev played a member of the Big 3 at least once.

I was very lucky to be able to face the best players in the world since I arrived at this tournament, as well as different generations. I played against Roger, Rafa, and Novak at the time, but now I have the opportunity to face Carlos and Jannik.

Alexander Zverev said at the press conference

Zverev will start his campaign against compatriot Daniel Altmaier. The three-time Grand Slam finalist holds a 3-1 head-to-head record over Altmaier, who defeated Zhang Zhizhen in the first round.

I was lucky in that sense… although in a way, I wish I had played less against them in the final rounds of the big events (laughs). But yes, it was a privilege every time I could face them; here in Rome, I lifted my first Masters 1000 against Novak in the final, something I will never forget.

Alexander Zverev added

Djokovic is also playing in Rome and bidding to win his seventh title there. He will be up against Dino Prizmic in his opening round. The Serb had skipped the event last year and instead played the Geneva Open, where he defeated Hubert Hurkacz to become the third man in the Open Era to win 100 or more singles titles.

Nole will be competing in a tournament for the third time after the Australian Open and the Indian Wells Masters. He beat Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final before losing in the final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Alexander Zverev on his matches against Jannik Sinner

Alexander Zverev faced Jannik Sinner four times this year and lost all matches, the latest defeat being the Madrid Open final. It was, in fact, Zverev’s career’s ninth consecutive defeat at the hands of the four-time Major champion. He now trails 4-10 in the head-to-head matchups.

While Zverev has yet to win a title since lifting the 2025 Munich Open, Sinner, after his Australian Open semifinal defeat and his Qatar Open quarterfinal defeat, clinched four consecutive Masters 1000 titles.

Well, the season is going well, the results are there, although I keep losing all the time against the same man… Actually, we are all losing against that man. Right now, Jannik is two levels above the rest of the players on the professional circuit, playing fantastically, and credit is due to him. I still feel disappointed by the way I played in the Mutua Madrid Open final last Sunday; I believe I could have done better, posed a greater challenge, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Alexander Zverev said at the press conference

First, Sinner became the eighth man to complete the Sunshine Double. Then he became the second man after Novak Djokovic to win the first three Masters 1000s of the season, before scripting history in Madrid by becoming the first man to win the first four Masters 1000s of the season.

The Madrid title was also Sinner’s fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title. If he wins in Rome, he will complete the Career Golden Masters.

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