Boris Becker: ‘Zverev can win the French Open. Not everyone can beat Nadal on clay’
Six-time major winner Boris Becker believes Alexander Zverev can win the French Open and said “not everyone can beat Nadal on clay in Spain”.
World No. 6 Zverev defeated the Spaniard 6-4, 6-4 in the Madrid Open quarter-finals last week – before going on to claim the title.
It was the German’s third consecutive win against the 34-year-old, but Nadal gained his revenge today by beating Zverev 6-3, 6-4 in the last eight in Rome.
“(Winning a major is) a question of little things, like the draw or the physique. How do you survive the first round? Who is your first high-ranked opponent?,” Becker told Eurosport.
Revenge in Rome!@RafaelNadal ends a run of three defeats to Zverev with a 6-3 6-4 victory in the Italian capital.#IBI21 pic.twitter.com/VYEfaXc3xM
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 14, 2021
“All of that plays a role, but I have him (Zverev) absolutely on the list that he can win (the French Open). Clearly, beating Nadal on clay in Spain – not everyone can do that.”
Zverev is looking to become the first German Grand Slam champion in men’s singles since Becker won the last of his six major titles at the 1996 Australian Open.
(Photo credit Ray Giubilo)
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