Alexander Zverev is a Wimbledon finalist, having finally ended Arthur Fery’s fairytale run in emphatic fashion.
The German, whose performances have been improving with each passing round, arguably exhibited his best tennis yet in today’s semi-final.
The hometown hero didn’t stand a chance, and despite a spirited first set, he could not get near the immense power and brutal precision of the new world number two.
Speaking whilst still on court, Alexander Zverev cut a calm and collected figure despite the magnitude of his achievement.
However, he did have some supremely kind words for Arthur Fery, who has captured the hearts of the entire nation following his run to the semi-finals.
Alexander Zverev speaks for the first time after reaching the Wimbledon final
He began by giving his initial reaction to reaching the final: “It’s amazing.
“This Grand Slam has always been the one I struggled with the most and all of a sudden now I am in the final of Wimbledon. I am incredibly happy. But we have one more match to go on Sunday, and that’s what the focus is on.”
Where will Arthur Fery be ranked at the end of the year?
He's up 78 places from 114th!
Having described his quarter-final win as near-flawless, Zverev was then asked to rate today’s showing. “It was okay, I guess,” he began, laughing.
He continued, with a word for Fery: “No, it was amazing. I have to give credit for two things. First of all, Arthur… unbelievable player. I think he’s going to be a senior citizen on our Tour, because I think he is going to play on Tour for 15+ years and have great results. I think this is just the beginning of his career.
“I really think he is going to do amazing things in this sport.
“And then for me the second thing is something that is incredible here. I know 99.9% of the stadium wanted Arthur to win, but it was still such an incredible atmosphere; it was such a fair crowd as well. I enjoyed every second of it.
“For me, I think a lot of stadiums in the world and a lot of crowds in the world can take an example of this crowd. It’s one of the best crowds in the world to play tennis in front of.”
Zverev finished by discussing his two potential opponents for the final: Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.
Asked if he has a preference, he jokingly said: “I hope I can play a junior, that would be great.
“Whether it’s the defending champion or someone who has won here 48 times in Novak Djokovic, it’s not going to be easy!
“But I have to trust myself and believe that I can win, and that is what I am going to do.”
Alexander Zverev becomes 13th man to reach all four Grand Slam finals
In beating Fery and reaching the Wimbledon final, Zverev has made history.
After all, as he alluded to, the grass has never been his favourite surface. Historically, he has struggled at the All England Club.
How many more Grand Slams does Alexander Zverev win now?
What a final!
And yet, from seemingly nowhere, the new Roland Garros champion has put together this sensational run, winning six straight matches with minimal fuss.
Zverev has now become just the 13th man in history to have reached the final of all four Grand Slams, joining superstars like Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Stefan Edberg and Rod Laver.
However, this will mean little in comparison to if he were to win the title on Sunday.
He is also the oldest to have managed this feat, overtaking Andy Murray.
