Written The legendary Rafael Nadal’s uncle, Toni Nadal, has criticized Alexander Zverev, the runner-up at the French Open, for his behaviour on the court.
In a dramatic five-set final against Carlos Alcaraz last week, Zverev was unable to win his maiden Grand Slam title. Alcaraz overcame a 2-1 deficit to win the Roland Garros title, making history as the youngest player to win Grand Slams on all three surfaces.
After falling to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final, it was Zverev’s second Grand Slam final loss of his career. Additionally, coach Nadal thinks Zverev lost in the French capital because of his mindset.
Toni talked about it in a recent interview and said: “On the second point of the first game of the fourth set, after the great comeback in the previous set and after taking a 0-15 lead, Alexander made a trivial mistake and turned angrily to his corner to complain. A quarter of an hour later, in the blink of an eye, Alcaraz was already 4-0 ahead in this important set.”
He further added: “If Zverev has not managed to win a Grand Slam tournament so far, it is certainly because he has never managed to control this type of situation, like at the start of the fourth set against Alcaraz. Carlos faced him in the fourth set after a hard-fought comeback without losing his calm, conviction and confidence in victory. Something that only great champions can achieve. I offer my most sincere compliments to Alcaraz.”
Alexander Zverev in 2024
At the moment ranked no.4, Zverev played his last match on the 9th of June when he lost to world no.2 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 in the final of the French Open (draw).
Currently, during this season Zverev owns a 34-10 record. The German clinched 2 titles in 2024 in Australia and Rome. Alexander reached the final at the French Open.
Alexander conquered 2 titles in 2024 in Australia and Rome. Zverev was the runner-up at the French Open.
Alexander won 23 titles in his career: 8 on hard courts, 8 on clay courts and 7 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Zverev is scheduled to play next in Halle (Terra Wortmann Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 17th of June.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
At the moment ranked no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 9th of June when he beat world no.4 Alexander Zverev 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 in the final of the French Open to win his 15th career title.
Currently, during this year the Spaniard achieved a composed 25-5 win-loss record. The Spaniard has won 2 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells and French Open.
Carlos Alcaraz will fight against the world no.27 Francisco Cerundolo in the 1st round. Their record is 1-0 for Cerundolo.
Carlos clinched 2 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells and French Open.
Alcaraz won 15 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 8 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts.
Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz played each other 12 times. Their current head to head is 7-5 for Zverev. The last time they played, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 in the final in Paris (French Open) on the 9th of June 2024.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Now the world no.264, Nadal played his last match on the 27th of May when he was overcome by world no.4 Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 in the 1st round in the French Open.
This year Rafael has a 7-5 record.