Last week, Alexander Zverev’s woes against Jannik Sinner were compounded.
The world number three was comfortably beaten in the Madrid Open final, defeated 6-1, 6-2 by the Italian world number one in the Caja Magica.
It is an understatement to say that Zverev has struggled against Sinner in recent memory; the German has lost his last nine matches against the Italian, dating back to the 2024 Cincinnati Open.
Could the Italian Open be the tournament where Alexander Zverev finally beats Jannik Sinner?
Zverev, who was defeated by Luciano Darderi in the Italian Open round of 16 on Thursday, discussed his most recent clash with Sinner prior to playing the world number 17.
Alexander Zverev says it was ‘weird’ that he played a ‘terrible match’ against Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open final
“It’s a weird one because I felt like I was playing really good tennis in Madrid and good tennis in all the matches I played,” Zverev told Sky Sports ahead of his match against Darderi in Rome.
“And then in the final, of course he is amazing, the best player in the world right now, no question.
“But I played a terrible match.
“That is something which is a bit weird because I felt really good all tournament. Maybe it is a bit of a change going from night to day, and all the time playing at night but still I expected more from myself and that was disappointing for sure.
“But the good thing about tennis is that you have a new chance every week.
“We are in Rome now and I’m hoping to continue to play good tennis and hopefully see him again down the road.”
Zverev has missed the opportunity to play Sinner in Rome after losing to Luciano Darderi in the round of 16.
Darderi, the Italian number two, defeated the German 1-6, 7-6, 6-0, and he will play Rafael Jodar in the quarter-finals.
Jodar, who only turned professional at the start of this year, has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past few months.
The 19-year-old, who beat Learner Tien on Thursday, is now only the second teenager to reach the quarter-finals of Madrid and Rome in the same season after Rafael Nadal in 2005.
Alexander Zverev says if he is feeling the ‘pressure’ to win amid Carlos Alcaraz’s injury absence
Carlos Alcaraz suffered a long-term wrist injury in April, which will keep him from competing until at least the grass-court swing.
Alcaraz’s absence has opened the door for many – like Zverev – to capitalise.
Just last year, Jannik Sinner was absent from the Tour due to a suspension.
Alexander Zverev has admitted he played ‘terrible’ when Sinner was absent from the Tour, but insists that he is not feeling the pressure amid Alcaraz’s current absence.
“I don’t feel pressure this time around,” Zverev told Sky Sports. “I am still chasing the elusive dream of winning Grand Slams but last year I had more pressure as I was chasing the number one spot and I was playing terribly.
“I was playing awful when Sinner was out.
Is Jannik Sinner making men’s tennis boring to watch? 👀
“Maybe I felt that a bit last year, I don’t feel that now but one man is winning everything so I am hoping to change that a little bit.”
