Zverev gives honest verdict on his performance after edging Fonseca in Monte Carlo

Alexander Zverev wasn’t pleased with how he played, despite eventually getting past Joao Fonseca in three sets.

The young Brazilian put in a strong performance, and his trip to the quarter-finals marks his best showing yet at a Masters 1000 event.

Zverev has now equaled his best run in Monaco by reaching the semi-finals, but he didn’t sound happy when speaking after the match.

Speaking live on Sky Sports, he explained why the match didn’t feel as exciting as the scoreline might have suggested.

Alexander Zverev shares honest thoughts after gruelling win over Joao Fonseca

When asked to rate the quality of play between him and Joao Fonseca, Zverev started by admitting: “I’m not sure.”

The German then explained why he felt that way, adding: “I don’t think it was still a great match to be honest, from both of us. But, you know, as I said, this is the first week on clay for all of us; it’s not going to be easy, it’s not going to be the prettiest tennis.

“You know how I won. I’m in the semi-finals. I’m super happy about that. I feel like the best set of tennis was a third set for me, so that shows improvement. And again, that’s the most important thing this week – to show improvement and find also my aggressive game a bit more because I’m struggling a little bit more on clay than I was on hard courts with that. But overall, I’m in the semis, and I’m happy about it.”

Then asked about what makes finding the balance so difficult when moving from hard courts back to clay season: “It’s about rhythm a little bit,” Zverev replied.

Fonseca has been praised for his run in Monte Carlo, with his forehand now being compared to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s.

Fonseca’s inexperience shows despite impressive run

It’s unfortunate that his tournament came to an end, but there was still plenty for Fonseca to take away from his performance in Monaco.

After a tough start to 2026, his first showing on clay this season was a clear step forward.

Despite competing well against one of the best on the surface, Fonseca’s inexperience showed in key moments against Zverev. That lack of match toughness also played a role, as the 19-year-old isn’t yet used to handling such physical matches at this level.

Still, these are lessons he can use going forward. While today may feel like a missed chance now, it should help him grow in the long run.

Read more: