The former German legend expressed his point of view on the Roland Garros final
What better opportunity than a final at Roland Garros to close a two-year-long circle that was opened with the terrible injury suffered in the semi-final of the French Open 2022? In an interview for Eurosport, Boris Becker talked about Alexander Zverev and the improvements made first since the final lost against Dominic Thiem at the US Open in 2020. Then, obviously, since the terrible injury suffered at the Roland Garros 2022. According to Becker, Zverev has a great chance to win the Roland Garros final against Carlos Alcaraz, which starts in a few hours.
“It could be a historic day for Germany, because we have never had a champion in Paris. Alexander Zverev has 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. He has already played one Slam final and should have won against Dominic Thiem at the US Open four years ago. Now he is a more mature boy. 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 the level from the first round and risked going out against Tallon Griekspoor in the third round, but that’s how Slams are. He has to die once or twice before raising the trophy to the sky. I think he has a good chance,” explained Becker.
Meanwhile, the Roland Garros is ready to crown a new champion. Both Alcaraz and Zverev will play their first final in Paris after defeating Jannik Sinner and Casper Ruud respectively in the semi-finals. 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 his idol Rafael Nadal on Court Philippe-Chatrier, while the German explained very well the meaning that this event has taken on for him over the years.
As I said at the beginning of the article, Zverev in fact suffered a serious ankle injury during the penultimate act of the Parisian Slam in 2022. From that moment, as Zverev himself reiterated in Rome a few weeks ago in the press conference, Roland Garros is became special to him.