Madrid Open defeat sparks honest assessment from Alexander Zverev about Roland Garros

Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP via Getty Images

Alexander Zverev suffered a heavy defeat against Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open final, falling 6-1, 6-2 to the world number one.

Sinner made history with his win, becoming the first player ever to claim five straight ATP Masters 1000 titles. He dropped just one set during the tournament, which came in his opening round against Benjamin Bonzi.

It was another landmark moment for Sinner, while for Zverev it extended a difficult run – he’s now lost nine matches in a row to Sinner at tour level.

After the match, Zverev was asked about his mindset and physical condition heading into Roland Garros.

Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

Zverev reacts to loss in Madrid Open final

Speaking after the match, Zverev said: “Right now I’m exhausted, to be honest. Yeah, I think two-week events are difficult. Mentally, you have to stay focused for longer.

“I think here also, I mean, I like to play night matches, but I feel jetlagged a little bit because during the last week I think I didn’t go to bed before 4 a.m. one time. It’s difficult.

“Then I also feel like, if that happens, and I understand that night matches are more popular with the crowd, and stuff like that, but then the final should be also night match, I think, because then I feel like it’s more fair towards both players.

“Because when it’s a day match and you played night all week it’s so difficult.

“Especially, of course, against Jannik, it’s difficult always, no matter where it is, no matter how you’re playing, but with the back story, it was just impossible today.”