The Roland-Garros Set podcast gets the skinny from a fifth seed fresh from his Geneva triumph.
© Antoine Couvercelle / FFTPractically the moment Alexander Zverev arrived on site in Paris, he had a chat with The Roland-Garros Set podcast. Here's what we learned:
...and no wonder, after winning his first title of 2019 last Saturday on the Geneva clay. “Great coming into Roland-Garros with a title on my back, and a lot of confidence too. I’m happy to get going here and really looking forward to playing," he said.
“What’s my favourite thing to do in Paris? Well, when we come here it’s all business," the German explained. "We’re at the courts, we try to win matches, be in shape and play well. I have seen a lot of the city but never really a thing that I do outside the tennis courts here.”
Lovik? That's his beloved grey poodle, soon to be joined by the puppy adopted by Zverev on a visit to a Miami animal shelter two months ago. Lovik has his own Facebook page and Instagram account. “Lovik is a cool dog who goes everywhere with me. He’s the perfect travel dog.”
The 22-year-old gave some more detail: “Yes, I am. Am I looking? Sure! But I don’t do pick-up lines. Saying ‘I’m Alexander Zverev’ doesn’t work.”
How would Zverev respond to the statement that world doubles No.4 Marcelo Melo taught Zverev everything he knows about singles, doubles and life? (Clue: Melo and Zverev are big mates.)
“He has never won a singles match in his life – you can actually Google that. He’s a 35-year-old man who’s still single and doesn’t have a girlfriend. His best friend is a 22-year-old who does everything for him – organises all his hotel rooms and trips. That answers it. He’s beaten me a few times in doubles but that’s it.
"Actually, he’s very shy and he cannot talk to ladies. This is a true story. He gets very nervous around them. Me? I can talk, I guess. I have no issues.”
“I don’t know… who have I never lost to?”
ROLAND-GARROS
20 May - 9 June 2024
