Alexander Zverev still ‘extremely disappointed’ with Munich exit as he eyes Madrid defense
World number three Alexander Zverev has admitted to being “extremely disappointed” with his performance at the Munich Open, but he hopes he can bounce back with a strong display at the Madrid Open this week.
The 2020 Olympic champion was the top seed at the ATP 250 tournament and was looking to recapture his best form after a difficult start to the season. However, he was dumped out of the tournament in Munich by teenage wildcard Holger Rune in the first round.
The world number 70 and the eventual-winner of the tournament dismantled the German in just 99 minutes as the Norwegian stormed to victory winning 6-3, 6-2.
After the shock defeat, the man from Hamburg apologized to fans and said it was his “worst match in the last five, six, seven years” and one week on, he still has not forgotten about the loss.
Alexander Zverev said he put a lot of pressure on himself due to playing in front of a home crowd and hopes to bounce back in Masters event in the Spanish capital this week.
Speaking to Eurosport he said, “I’m extremely disappointed with last week. I put a lot of pressure on myself, a lot of expectations on myself as well, playing in Germany in front of a crowd for the first time in three years.
“It wasn’t easy but things like this happen, it’s a sport. You can win against anyone on your day and you can lose to anyone when it’s not your day.
“Munich definitely was not a great tournament from my side, but luckily we have a new chance here and a new chance to prove myself.”
“The pressure is very different,” he added. “Especially with the time we had with Covid the crowd was sold out for the next few days when I was playing and a lot of people expected me to be there.
“Unfortunately it didn’t happen but this is sport and you have to make the best of the new chance you have this week.”
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