So far, the French Open 2020 has been a proving ground for the underdogs. Jannik Sinner displayed tremendous courage to overcome the mental battle against Alexander Zverev to send him packing from the tournament. But what about Zverev’s physical condition? The German hinted about COVID-19 symptoms after his fourth-round loss! 

Alexander Zverev did not look 100% healthy in his fourth-round game against Jannik Sinner. The 23-year-old had to take a breather during the first set. His trainer and doctor came to the court to examine his condition and Zverev once again was on his feet shortly. 

However, after being defeated 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 3-6 by his American opponent, Zverev opened up about his health. The German declared that he was struggling to cope with the intensity of the game and said he shouldn’t have played the match in the first place. 

“I’m completely sick. I can’t really breathe. I had fever” Zverev said after the loss. Moreover, Zverev is unhappy with the way he’s being portrayed in the media currently. After his tired display against Sinner, one would wonder if the German has contracted the coronavirus. But was he tested after the game? Here’s Zverev’s response on the same: 

“There’s no way I’m answering your questions from what you have been writing about me over the past months. Absolutely no chance,” Zverev said to the reporters. 

Where did it all go wrong for Alexander Zverev? 

A lot of hopes rested on Alexander Zverev to shine bright at French Open 2020. He came in as the tournament’s #6 seed in the men’s singles. However, Zverev has now handed Sinner his first-ever grand slam quarterfinal appearance. 

Moreover, Sinner is also the youngest men’s quarterfinalist at Roland Garros since Novak Djokovic in 2006. But why was Zverev unable to cope with the challenge posed by 19-year-old Sinner? 

The first fact that pops up is that Alexander Zverev did not have any prior preparation on clay before the French Open. He reached the finals at the US Open and decided to opt-out of competing in Rome. This has hurt him right from the start. 

Zverev did look shaky in the previous rounds, and his worst nightmare has now happened. The German has never got past the last eight at Roland Garros, and he can no longer attempt to overturn it this year.