Alexander Zverev reveals why he played on Golden Swing despite being ‘mentally affected’ after Australian Open heartbreak
Alexander Zverev had forgetful campaigns on the Golden Swing as he failed to win more than two matches in the three tournaments.
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Alexander Zverev (Image via X/We Are Tennis)
Alexander Zverev will continue his hunt for his first title of the season in the Monte Carlo Masters, the main draw of which is scheduled to start on April 6. Zverev, who last won a title at the 2024 Paris Masters, had an inconsistent start to the season.
He started the year in an emphatic fashion, reaching the Australian Open final but the Grand Slam title still eluded him as Jannik Sinner secured his third Major title in straight sets without breaking a sweat. Ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters, Zverev revealed why, despite the heartbreaking loss, he didn’t take a rest and went straight to Buenos Aires for the Golden Swing.
I was mentally affected after the final in Melbourne. I was angry, tired, and I went straight to the South American tour, without much time to think about what had happened, another Grand Slam final after playing well, another lost final, etc. I just carried on. It was maybe not the smartest thing to do. But tennis is also a business.
Alexander Zverev told L’equipe
Zverev failed to win more than two matches in the three tournaments he played there. But now, he has declared that he has finally moved on; that the Australian Open defeat doesn’t affect him anymore.
We have contracts with tournaments signed several months in advance, we have obligations. It was my decision, it’s okay. The results are the conclusion of several things… I enjoyed my time in South America, in Rio, even if I lost a difficult match there.
Alexander Zverev added
Zverev also had disappointing campaigns in the two Sunshine Double tournaments. He suffered an exit in his Indian Wells opener before Arthur Fils ended his run in the fourth round of the Miami Open.
Alexander Zverev thinks strange things are happening in tennis
In recent weeks, the top three players lifted no titles. World Cup.1 Jannik Sinner is on the sidelines due to his three-month doping ban. Carlos Alcaraz, since winning the Rotterdam Open, was inconsistent in the next three tournaments he played and he also fell in his first match of the Miami Open. Alexander Zverev too struggled.
Jack Draper and Jakub Mensik were crowned as the Indian Wells and Miami Open champions, respectively. Zverev, while discussing the evolution of tennis, and whether anyone can have a chance to claim a title on the clay swing since Rafael Nadal‘s retirement, said that it’s difficult to predict it based on what’s happened in the last few weeks.
The last few months have been very strange! Jannik can’t play. I’m playing horribly. Carlos hasn’t played very well either. Let’s see what happens next. I think things are getting back to a certain normality.
Alexander Zverev told L’equipe
He thinks tennis has not become more open. The German pointed out how Sinner has won almost every title on the hard courts and Alcaraz is a tough opponent on the clay swing. Sinner will be making his comeback at the Italian Open to chase his second title on the surface. Alcaraz will be hoping to remain consistent throughout the clay swing and will aim to defend his French Open title.
Alexander Zverev will play a qualifier or Matteo Berrettini in the Monte Carlo Masters
Alexander Zverev has received a bye and will kick start his Monte Carlo Masters campaign against the winner of the first-round match between Matteo Berrettini and a qualifier. If he faces the Italian, it will be their seventh clash on the tour.
The three-time Grand Slam finalist has won four matches against the former World No.6. The match will also be their first meeting since the 2023 Wimbledon. Zverev is 14-8 in the tournament.
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