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Alexander Zverev says what Roger Federer told him prior to his match with Jiri Lehecka at Wimbledon, ‘It was very nice’

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Alexander Zverev has advanced to the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time in his career after beating Jiri Lehecka.

Zverev won the contest – which took place over two days – 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 on Centre Court.

The Roland Garros champion will play Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals – a player whom Zverev has failed to defeat in their last seven meetings.

Who is now the best active ATP player without a Grand Slam title after Alexander Zverev’s French Open victory?

(Getty Images)

Zverev had the honour of having Roger Federer present for his match. The 20-time Grand Slam champion, an eight-time winner at Wimbledon, watched from the Royal Box inside Centre Court.

Following the conclusion of Tuesday’s contest, Zverev revealed the details of a recent conversation with Federer.

Roger Federer congratulated Alexander Zverev on winning Roland Garros

Last month, Alexander Zverev finally lifted a Grand Slam trophy.

Zverev, who had been described by John McEnroe as the best player to never win a major, won the 2026 Roland Garros title after defeating Flavio Cobolli in a thrilling five-set final.

Alexander Zverev holds the French Open trophy
Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty Images

Zverev has since been congratulated for his landmark achievement by none other than Roger Federer.

“Yeah, I saw him,” Zverev said of Federer during the German’s post-match press conference. “He was at some point sitting alone completely in the Royal Box.

“I think it was a phenomenal sight.

“But I saw him before the match, as well. He congratulated me for Roland Garros, as well.

“It was very nice of him to stay.”

Former tennis player Roger Federer applauds in the Royal Box after watching Arthur Fery of Great Britain beat Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in their Gentlemen's Singles fourth round match on day eight of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2026 in London, England.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

Federer won eight Wimbledon titles, including five in a row between 2003 and 2007.

The tennis icon won his last trophy at the All England Club in 2017, beating Marin Cilic 6–3, 6–1, 6–4 in the final.

Alexander Zverev achieves ATP Tour first for 2026

As per OptaAce, Alexander Zverev is the only ATP player to reach at least the quarter-final stage of every Grand Slam event this year.

Jannik Sinner has reached the quarter-finals at two of the three major events – the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Sinner was stunned in the second round of Roland Garros by Juan Manuel Cerundolo after suffering severe cramping.

Jannik Sinner covers his face during defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo at the French Open.
Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Carlos Alcaraz, the world number two, won the Australian Open earlier this year.

He then withdrew from Roland Garros and Wimbledon after suffering a wrist injury.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time major champion, has reached the last eight in Melbourne and London this year.

However, he was defeated in the Roland Garros third round by Joao Fonseca.