“Stefanos Tsitsipas is the best clay court player”: Alexander Zverev makes an outrageous statement as he snubs Rafael Nadal

“Stefanos Tsitsipas is the best clay court player”: Alexander Zverev makes an outrageous statement as he snubs Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev had a heartbreak in the finals of the 2022 Madrid Open as he failed to retain his title losing to teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz in straight-sets. Zverev was the defending champion and despite inconsistent form, he had made his way to the finals but Alcaraz proved too good for the German and Sascha had to settle for the runners-up trophy.

On his way to the finals, Zverev defeated Marin Cilic, Lorenzo Musetti (via retirement), Felix Auger-Aliassime and Stefanos Tsitsipas to have a shot at the Masters title. Zverev and Stef had also met in the semis of the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters where the Greek No. 1 was the defending champion and eventually went on to make a successful title defence but that was not the case for Zverev in Madrid.

Having lost to Stef in 5-sets in the semi-finals of the 2021 French Open as well, Zverev has lost thrice to Stef in their 4 clay court meetings so far and the German is well aware of the current World No. 5’s domination on the surface. After the quarter-final win over Felix in the Madrid Open, Zverev put Stef above ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal in a surprising admission.

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“I couldn’t put a serve in the court. I had chances to go up 5-1 in the second set and I think the match would have been over. But I didn’t use my chances and he fought back well. But I kept fighting as well, and that’s how I got the win.

“Rafa is on his way back and Novak is starting to gain momentum, but right now maybe he’s the best clay-court player in the world. I think I need to play my best level to have a chance, but I’m looking forward to this match because in Monte Carlo he beat me quite easily. I hope I can change that,” said Sascha as reported by the ATP Tour site.

Also Read: ‘Guilty in the world that we live in now,’ Alexander Zverev opens up about his ATP investigation

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Alexander Zverev headed to Rome

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev

Zverev will now be playing in the 2022 Rome Masters where he is a former champion, having clinched the title in 2017. He was defeated by Rafa in the quarter-finals last year as the Spaniard went ahead to win his 10th title at the event. Sascha is 13-4 at the tournament and given his semi-final run in Monte-Carlo and a runner-up finish in Madrid, the World No. 3 is one of the title favourites this year.

Also Read: “It’s difficult for me,” Carlos Alcaraz shares unfortunate news ahead of the French Open 2022

Also Read: “Absolute disgrace,” Alexander Zverev slams ATP for their horrible match scheduling