Alexander Zverev – “Novak Djokovic is World Number One For a Reason”

The semi-final lineup for the French Open 2019 has been decided and for the first time after the Australian Open 2012, all the top four seeds are into the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament. Alexander Zverev conceded a 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 defeat to the Serb, Novak Djokovic in the last eight round of Roland-Garros.

In the opening set, at 4-3, Alexander Zverev was on his serve. The linesman called out Zverev’s first serve to be faulty. The German was unhappy with the judgment and the chair umpire, James Keothavong had come down to verify the spot of the bounce. The chair umpire said, “It was long”. Alexander Zverev continued to argue for his first service.

Later, the World Number one tennis player, Novak Djokovic examined it and eventually overruled the umpire’s call and gave Alexander Zverev another chance to serve. The entire Court Philippe-Chatrier applauded for his kind sportsmanlike actions in a major tournament.

“It was great sportsmanship obviously. Not a lot of guys would have done that, especially at such an important moment in the first set. He’s a great guy for doing that,” the World Number five, Alexander Zverev said after his defeat.

In today’s match, during the first set Zverev fail to convert breakpoints earlier in the opening set and that could have awarded him the first set. However, Djokovic’s control on the ball from the baseline and his drop shots on the German’s court and did not allow Zverev to break him more than once in the first set. 

“I could have broken him I think earlier in the first set. I had a few 15-40s. Had a lot of breakpoints. You know, really thought that the first set should have gone my way. And then played three really bad games from there on. ‘You know, then once he’s in control, he’s very tough to beat. He’s World Number one for a reason. Things happen, and it’s fine. At least I’m not injured this year, so I can prepare for the grass and hopefully do well there”, Alexander Zverev said.

All the four quarterfinal matches concluded in straight sets, except for Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka’s match where the Swiss men battled for four long sets. Tomorrow, the Court Philippe-Chatrier will pack for two much-awaited matches, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will be first to put on the show and then followed by, Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem.

“You guys have two great semi-finals tomorrow. I hope you all enjoy that,” Alexander Zverev added.