Roland Garros is ready to crown a new champion
Roland Garros is ready to crown a new champion. Both Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev will play their first finals in Paris after defeating Jannik Sinner and Casper Ruud, respectively, in the semifinals. For both of them this is a special tournament and they will do everything to leave the French capital with the trophy.
The Spaniard grew up following with interest the feats accomplished by his idol Rafael Nadal on the Court Philippe-Chatrier; while the German explained very well what this event has meant to him over the years.
Zverev in fact sustained a serious ankle injury during the penultimate act of the Paris Slam in 2022. Since then, as reiterated in Rome at a press conference, Roland Garros is always marked in red in his personal calendar.
This is the Major he wishes to conquer. Talking with Eurosport, German legend Boris Becker opened up on Zverev’s current status.
Boris Becker praises Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev will play his first Roland Garros final today. After three stops in the semifinals, the fourth attempt took him to the final act of the Paris tournament. He beat a Ruud who was not at his best and now the toughest challenge against Carlos Alcaraz with whom the German player is ahead in the previous matches by 5-4.
Speaking to Eurosport, Boris Becker spoke about Alexander Zverev and the improvements he has made since losing to Dominic Thiem at the US Open in 2020.
“It could be a historic day for Germany, because we have never had a champion in Paris. Alexander Zverev reached the final and I think he has a chance. I spoke to him and I think he has learned the lessons of the past,” Becker explained.
“He has already played a Slam final and should have won against Dominic Thiem at the US Open four years ago. Now he is a more mature guy. He had to deal with a tough and difficult draw: facing Rafael Nadal in the first round was like a final for him.
He raised his level from the first round and almost went out against Tallon Griekspoor in the third round, but that’s how Slams are. You have to die once or twice before you lift the trophy. I think he has a good chance.”