Alexander Zverev calls himself ‘stupid’ and slams coach after reaching French Open final | Tennis | Sport

Alexander Zverev said it was “easier to be stupid” after reaching a second French Open final. With Carlos Alcaraz sidelined and Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic losing early, the No. 2 seed has been the favourite to lift a long-awaited Grand Slam title. After beating Jakub Mensik 7-5 6-2 3-6 6-3 in Friday’s semi-final, Zverev is now one win away from an elusive Major crown.

And the German will be hoping to keep his head “empty” as he heads into Sunday’s final, where he is guaranteed to face an Italian – either Flavio Cobolli or Matteo Arnaldi. Though he might like some advice from his dad, Alexander Zverev Senior, who is also his coach, after calling him out during his on-court interview.

The world No. 3 was asked whether it was difficult to focus on himself with everything going on – fans cheering, his coach speaking – but he joked that Zverev Senior wasn’t giving him any good advice.

“My coach hasn’t told me anything in 25 years! I wish he would tell me something sometimes,” he grinned. “I lost so many matches in my life, and he still hasn’t said anything, it still doesn’t change!”

Zverev didn’t need too much advice to beat Mensik, who had caused plenty of upsets already this fortnight. After beating the 26th seed in three hours, he said: “Amazing the way he played this last two weeks. He beat so many unbelievable players. I knew it was going to be the toughest challenge I had so far. I managed, I won, I’m happy.

“I mean, he started playing amazing in the third set. He really stepped up another level, but you know, this is a Grand Slam, this is best-of-five-set matches, things are gonna happen, opponents are gonna play better. You have to deal with it, you have to manage it, I did. Yeah, I hope to play another great match on Sunday.”

Zverev has come close at the French Open before. Two years ago, he led Carlos Alcaraz by two sets to one before losing. He’d also lost three other semi-finals, including in 2022, when he rolled his ankle during the second set while facing Rafael Nadal, and had to retire.

But he still loves this tournament and has arguably his best shot at winning the title on Sunday. “I think the atmosphere here is always amazing. I think the French crowd is always very into their tennis. It’s such a historic event. The atmosphere is amazing, and I just enjoy playing on this beautiful court,” the second seed added.

One special element at the French Open is the walk-on, when Marc Maury announces each player’s arrival as they step onto Court Philippe-Chatrier. It can be a nerve-wracking moment, but Zverev admitted his head was “empty”.

He explained: “Pure emptiness. There is absolutely nothing in my head. To be honest though, we’re athletes, very few of us have anything in our head, anyways! So sometimes it’s easier to be stupid and not to think too much.”