Alexander Zverev lost to Luciano Darderi, 6-1, 6-7, 0-6, in the fourth round of the Italian Open.
The German failed to convert several match points before being ‘bagelled’ in the final set.
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After the match, Zverev made a complaint about the courts used at the BNP Paribas Arena.
Alexander Zverev makes ‘worst court’ claim after losing to Luciano Darderi in Rome
The German wasn’t pleased with the court surfaces and didn’t think twice about making his feelings heard during his post-match press conference.
“It was difficult to play,” said Zverev.
“I mean, to be honest, the court, I think, this is the worst court I’ve ever played on.
“Juniors, professional, futures, practice, I never played on a court where the court quality is that bad.
“I have match point and the ball jumps over my head.
“I have a break point, the ball rolls.
“Like yeah…
“I mean, you saw it, no? The ball rolls a couple of times. It’s difficult.
“The wind was tough.”
Zverev was also asked how his fitness affected him, having been sick after the Madrid Open.
“I mean, I did get tired,” he said.
“Whether it’s a sickness or I just played a lot of tennis…
“That’s one of the reasons.
“Yeah, I think I should have won the match in two sets.
Alexander Zverev vs Luciano Darderi – Match stats
| Stats | Alexander Zverev | Luciano Darderi |
| Aces | 4 | 4 |
| Double faults | 5 | 4 |
| 1st Serve % | 72% | 52% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 65% | 80% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 74% | 51% |
| Break points | 4/7 | 5/10 |
“That’s just the story from there.
“Of course, the third set went for him. He played amazing tennis.
“I should have won the match in two sets.”
While Zverev faltered, Darderi took his game to another level, booking his place in the Italian Open quarter-finals, where he will meet the Spanish wonderkid, Rafael Jodar.
Zverev, on the other hand, will now turn his attention to the French Open.
Alexander Zverev says he has to ‘believe’ he can beat Jannik Sinner ahead of the French Open
When Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the French Open, Zverev inherited his number-two seed.
Therefore, Zverev could meet the world number one, Jannik Sinner, in the Roland Garros final.
Zverev suffered a heavy defeat to Sinner in the Madrid Open final recently, and the Italian hasn’t lost a match on clay this year.
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Despite that, the 29-year-old still believes he can stop the four-time major champion.
“I do have to believe that I’m capable of beating him,” said Zverev.
“I do have to believe it, otherwise we can just give him the trophy without playing the tournament.”
Zverev hasn’t beaten Sinner in three years and has only taken two sets off the world number one since then.
Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 Madrid Open – F | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-1, 6-2 |
| 2026 Monte Carlo Masters – SF | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2026 Miami Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2026 Indian Wells – SF | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2025 ATP Finals – RR | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2025 Paris Masters – SF | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-0, 6-1 |
| 2025 Vienna Open – F | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 |
| 2025 Australian Open – F | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2024 Cincinnati Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 7-6, 5-7, 7-6 |
| 2023 US Open – SF | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 |
| 2022 Monte Carlo Masters – QF | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2021 US Open – 4R | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2020 Cologne 2 – SF | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2020 French Open – 4R | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 |
But with some extra rest heading into Roland Garros, who knows what could happen?
“Maybe this is a bit of a blessing in a bad moment for me. I can rest and recharge and be 100% ready for the French Open,” said Zverev.
“I can take a couple of days off. I have almost two weeks now till my next match, so yeah. I hope I can use that time.”
Only time will tell what Zverev can achieve at the 2026 French Open.
The Roland Garros main draw begins on Sunday, May 24.
