Alexander Zverev explains what felt strange against Sinner

Alexander Zverev’s struggles against Jannik Sinner continued last week. The world number three was soundly beaten in the Madrid Open final, falling 6-1, 6-2 to the Italian in front of a packed Caja Magica.

The German has now lost his last nine matches against Sinner, a streak that stretches back to the 2024 Cincinnati Open.

Before his match with Luciano Darderi, where he would later fall in straight sets, Zverev spoke about the recent meeting with Sinner and what’s been making it so difficult to turn things around.

Alexander Zverev says it was ‘weird’ that he played a ‘terrible match’ against Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open final

“It’s a weird one because I felt like I was playing really good tennis in Madrid and good tennis in all the matches I played,” Zverev told Sky Sports ahead of his match against Darderi in Rome.

“And then in the final, of course, he is amazing, the best player in the world right now, no question.

“But I played a terrible match.

“That is something which is a bit weird because I felt really good all tournament. Maybe it is a bit of a change going from night to day, and all the time playing at night but still I expected more from myself and that was disappointing for sure.

“But the good thing about tennis is that you have a new chance every week.

“We are in Rome now and I’m hoping to continue to play good tennis and hopefully see him again down the road.”

Zverev won’t get another shot at Sinner this time around after falling short against Luciano Darderi on Thursday. The Italian fought back from a set down to win 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-0 and move into his first Masters 1000 quarter-final.

Darderi will face Rafael Jodar next. The young Spaniard has already taken out Ben Shelton and Holger Rune earlier this week as he continues his breakthrough season on tour.

Alexander Zverev says he isn’t feeling the pressure to win with Carlos Alcaraz sidelined

Carlos Alcaraz picked up a wrist injury in April that’s expected to keep him out until at least the start of the grass-court season.

With Alcaraz out, there’s an opportunity for others to take advantage, and Zverev is one of those players in a position to do so.

Just last year, Jannik Sinner was absent from the Tour due to a suspension.

Zverev has said before that he didn’t play well during Sinner’s absence but insists this time around it feels different, even with Alcaraz not playing.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Zverev said: “I don’t feel pressure this time around. I am still chasing the elusive dream of winning Grand Slams but last year I had more pressure as I was chasing the number one spot and I was playing terribly.”

“I was playing awful when Sinner was out.

“Maybe I felt that a bit last year, I don’t feel that now but one man is winning everything so I am hoping to change that a little bit.”

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