Novak Djokovic Sarcastically Accuses Alexander Zverev of ‘Spying’ on him with PSG’s Champions League Before Their Roland Garros Encounter

Novak Djokovic has not met Alexander Zverev on the clay court since 2019 and leads their head-to-head record 8-5.

Novak Djokovic Sarcastically Accuses Alexander Zverev of ‘Spying’ on him with PSG’s Champions League Before Their Roland Garros Encounter

Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev (via X/The Tennis Letter)

Novak Djokovic aimed a lighthearted joke at Alexander Zverev on social media ahead of their quarter-finals clash at Roland Garros. The 38-year-old is eyeing his 25th Grand Slam title at the tournament, an achievement that would take him ahead of Margaret Court, with whom he is currently tied on 24 major titles.

Djokovic has moved through the Roland Garros draw untroubled so far. He beat all four of his opponents excellently, and he’s yet to drop a set at the tournament, which is his first Grand Slam appearance since parting ways with his coach Andy Murray. In the fourth round on Monday (June 2), Djokovic thrashed Cameron Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 at the Court Philippe-Chatrier.

On the other hand, Zverev has also enjoyed a brilliant run of form at the Roland Garros. Before arriving at the tournament, he was highly criticized for his poor performances in Rome and Hamburg, but since arriving in Paris, he has improved his game. The German star has just dropped only one set and reached the quarter-finals after Tallon Griekspoor was forced to retire in the second set.

Djokovic and Zverev last met at the Australian Open early this year, where the former was forced to retire before the second set due to injury. The German, having therefore played just a few minutes with Djokovic in 2025, now stands accused of having made his way to the Roland Garros Court to spy on Djokovic while he was playing Norrie.

Zverev had shared a picture of himself posing with the Champions League on Instagram, shortly after the Cup was presented to the Stadium by Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele. Djokovic then reacted to the post, confronting Zverev, to tell the truth about why he was at the Court Philippe-Chatrier at that time.

Tell the truth. You were there because you were spying on my game. Seeing the trophy was just an excuse.

Zverev might be under immense pressure heading into his match against Djokovic as he’s yet to win a Grand Slam title in his career. He’s one of the most talented players of his generation who is yet to lift a major title. The German was the finalist at the Roland Garros last year but lost the title to Carlos Alcaraz.

Alexander Zverev doesn’t believe Novak Djokovic is the “dark horse” at the Roland Garros

Alexander Zverev has had more success at the French Open than any other player from 2021 to 2024. He reached the semi-finals in each of those years and reached the final last, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets.

Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev (4)
Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev (Images via X)

Zverev has not met Novak Djokovic on clay since 2019. Djokovic leads the World No.3 8-5 in their head-to-head record. Meanwhile, Zverev has dismissed the notion that Djokovic is a dark horse at the 2025 Roland Garros:

I mean, the guy won 24 Grand Slams. He’s never gonna be a black horse. He definitely knows how to play tennis. He definitely knows what it means to be on a big stage and play big matches. There’s no doubt about that. Of course, until this moment I’ve had to focus on my matches… Novak Djokovic will never be a black horse.

Djokovic has not won any Grand Slam since claiming the 2023 US Open. He has been to only one major final since 2023. However, before the 2025 French Open, the 38-year-old lifted his 100th tour-level title at the Geneva Open and has been playing his best tennis since then. The World No.6 is currently three wins away from claiming his fourth Roland Garros and 25th Grand Slam title.

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