Zverev Focused After QF Win: 'The Tournament Is Not Over'
Alexander Zverev is keen for more after reaching his third consecutive Roland Garros semi-final on Wednesday.
“I’m in the semi-final of a Grand Slam. I'm happy to be in a sem-final of a Grand Slam any time that I'm there,” Zverev said. “But, of course, for me the tournament is not over. I'm happy to be here, but I know that hopefully I have two more matches ahead, and they're not going to get easier.”
The German is into the last four at a major for the sixth time (1-4) and will try to reach his second major final. The two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion is not content with only advancing this far.
“It was definitely a tournament that I marked on my calendar this year. I'm happy to be playing the way I'm playing here in Paris. I'm extremely happy with how things are going,” Zverev said. “But as I said, the tournament is not over yet. There are still potentially two very, very difficult matches ahead, and I'm looking forward to that.”
Zverev marked Roland Garros on his calendar because in last year’s semi-finals against Rafael Nadal, he tore three ligaments in his right ankle and did not compete again for the rest of the season.
The former World No. 2 was playing some of his best tennis at the time and now, one year on, he is in position to again challenge for a place in the final in Paris.
“I couldn't play for the first seven months of my injury. Then for the next three, four months I was still in pain, so I wasn't pain-free. I wasn't able to move the way I wanted to,” Zverev said. “But, I mean, sometimes it's also just reminding yourself of who you were and what kind of matches you have won in the past. I think that is important sometimes as well.”
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Importantly, Zverev explained that the injury is now out of mind during matches. He will be able to fully focus on his opponent, Casper Ruud or Holger Rune.
“I don't think about it anymore. I'm going on court to win tennis matches. I'm not thinking about what happened last year,” Zverev said. “I have to talk about it a lot obviously, and that's fine. That's everybody's job, but I'm here to win tennis matches. I'm here to go deep in a Grand Slam.”