Zverev after 2021 RG loss: "I don't care about semifinals. I wouldn't have cared about the final either."

[Deleted member 629564]

"I am not at a stage anymore where I am happy with just a great match,"

"Was it a good match? Yeah. But at the end of the day, I am going to fly home tomorrow. I don't care about semifinals. It might sound arrogant, but I am not trying to be arrogant. Just saying it how it is. I wouldn't have cared about the final either, to be honest. I didn't win the tournament."

"I started to play proper tennis in the third set,"

"Against someone like Stefanos, it might be too late. … I can’t go down two sets to love against a top player like Stefanos and expect to win every single time. … I got to play better in those."

"The most important thing to come out of these matches is the first two sets and I need to do better in those."

"When I come into these matches, I got to be a hundred per cent from the first point on."

"He (the umpire) said that I had no chance of making the shot,"

"I was on the ball, I hit it with the middle of the racket. I didn't quite get his explanation. I won the third set anyway, so it didn't really matter [in the end]."

Source:

Alexander Zverev after losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas at Roland Garros: "I don't care about semifinals"

World No. 6 Alexander Zverev was knocked out of Roland Garros 2021 after a gruelling five-set loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals.

www.sportskeeda.com

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Doesn’t sound arrogant. Actually refreshing to hear a Next Genner say this.

 

[Hitman]

Zverev, you got to learn how to beat top ten players in slams, you really cannot win a slam until you figure this out.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

What was the question I wonder.

 

[beltsman]

Good mentality

 

[TheMysteryofPenguin]

Great attitude

 

[MeatTornado]

Doesn’t sound arrogant. Actually refreshing to hear a Next Genner say this.

I've definitely heard Medvedev and Tsitsipas say similar things. But actions speak louder than words, based on how they play in big matches.

 

[Aabye5]

You could argue that this is WHY Zverev fails. Are his parents putting this pressure on him or is he just that silly?

Zverev, I'll give you 3 reasons why this is a great result:
1. You did not end up injured like your poor brother (now Mischa has the right attitude)
2. You already have earned more money than many players will in a lifetime
3. Your serve has improved a lot since your darkest, yippy days

 

[Beckerserve]

"I am not at a stage anymore where I am happy with just a great match,"

"Was it a good match? Yeah. But at the end of the day, I am going to fly home tomorrow. I don't care about semifinals. It might sound arrogant, but I am not trying to be arrogant. Just saying it how it is. I wouldn't have cared about the final either, to be honest. I didn't win the tournament."

"I started to play proper tennis in the third set,"

"Against someone like Stefanos, it might be too late. … I can’t go down two sets to love against a top player like Stefanos and expect to win every single time. … I got to play better in those."

"The most important thing to come out of these matches is the first two sets and I need to do better in those."

"When I come into these matches, I got to be a hundred per cent from the first point on."

"He (the umpire) said that I had no chance of making the shot,"

"I was on the ball, I hit it with the middle of the racket. I didn't quite get his explanation. I won the third set anyway, so it didn't really matter [in the end]."

Source:

Alexander Zverev after losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas at Roland Garros: "I don't care about semifinals"

World No. 6 Alexander Zverev was knocked out of Roland Garros 2021 after a gruelling five-set loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals.

www.sportskeeda.com

Hmmmm interesting. Very interesting

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

That's why if Djokovic loses the final tomorrow his win over Nadal will mean nothing.

 

[helterskelter]

I hate this attitude. Every match is significant. A semi-final is very, very significant. Winning it is very important, whether the victor wins the final or not. There is no shame at all in being runner-up in a slam. It's a great accomplishment.

 

[Deleted member 629564]

That's why if Djokovic loses the final tomorrow his win over Nadal will mean nothing.

Do you think Soderling's 2009 win over Nadal means nothing?

 

[Mediterranean Might]

I hate this attitude. Every match is significant. A semi-final is very, very significant. Winning it is very important, whether the victor wins the final or not. There is no shame at all in being runner-up in a slam. It's a great accomplishment.

I'd disagree. It doesn't mean he isn't placing importance on a semi-final, it means he's driven for better results. I don't like Zverev, but I think his head is in the game here

 

[catskillthunder]

I like Zverev. I will probably root for him in some capacity after Rafa retires. He's a realist and called it perfectly. Who cares about SF matches, the goal is to win the whole thing.

 

[helterskelter]

I'd disagree. It doesn't mean he isn't placing importance on a semi-final, it means he's driven for better results. I don't like Zverev, but I think his head is in the game here

Clearly, many would disagree. But wanting to win doesn't mean one should deny the significance of making the final. It's black-and-white thinking. He's head is not in the game here. He's letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Having his head in the game would, I think, mean saying something like, "Of course, I really wanted to win the match. But I wouldn't have been satisfied with being in the final. It would have meant a lot, but I wanted to win the whole event."

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

Do you think Soderling's 2009 win over Nadal means nothing?

Yes, as well as his win over Federer the following year. He underperformed in both finals.

 

[your best friend]

If you looked at Zverev's mostly unemotional lackluster behavior during the bulk of the match no one would dispute what he said.
At least he is honest if not giving any hope to his fans.

 

[BeatlesFan]

He's a realist and called it perfectly. Who cares about SF matches, the goal is to win the whole thing.

Yes, that must have been Zverev's goal when serving for the USO title last September. He couldn't even do that against a fellow choker.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Zverev doesn’t consider clay real tennis. Another member of the Kermit Kult.

 

[Third Serve]

Very inspiring comments from Zverev.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Zverev, you got to learn how to beat top ten players in slams, you really cannot win a slam until you figure this out.

that isn't required to win a berrettini open, though... @tennis_pro

 

[tennis_pro]

that isn't required to win a berrettini open, though... @tennis_pro

true, just ask nadal he knows all about it

 

[Red Rick]

Doesn’t sound arrogant. Actually refreshing to hear a Next Genner say this.

Goes to show how ridiculously easy it is to say the most basic things and get TTW to go "wow what a great attitude"

 

[jm1980]

Zverev, you got to learn how to beat top ten players in slams, you really cannot win a slam until you figure this out.

He just needs to borrow Tio Toni's USO Draw Generator