‘Mentally Novak Djokovic is the best ever,’ says Alexander Zverev after US Open heartbreak

Alexander Zverev said that Novak Djokovic is ‘number one for a reason and he showed why’ following their US Open semi-final clash. 

The world number four battled impressively, winning the first set and the fourth to set up a decider against the Serbian, before eventually losing 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-2.

The German suffered heartbreak in a five-set contest at the US Open for a second successive year, after coming within just two points of his maiden Grand Slam title 12 months ago before falling to Dominic Thiem.

“It was a great battle. Kind of a little bit disappointed with the start of the fifth set. To be honest, apart from that, it was a good match. I think we both left it all out there,” Zverev said.

“The second break in the fifth set was so ridiculously unlucky that it sometimes happen. But he’s number one in the world for a reason and he showed that tonight.”

Zverev said Djokovic always produces his best tennis when the pressure is on and admitted there’s ‘a lot of reasons’ as to why he is at the top of the sport.

“He comes up with the best tennis when he needs to. We play 55-shot rallies. The only way for me to win that rally is to hit a forehand winner. That says it all, on a set point [down],” Zverev said.

“There is a reason why he’s won 20 Grand Slams. There’s a reason why he’s spent the most weeks at World No. 1. There’s a lot of reasons for that.

“I think mentally he’s the best player to ever play the game. Mentally in the most important moments I would rather play against anybody else but him.”

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