US OPEN

September 5, 2021

Alexander Zverev

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/J. Sock

3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 2-1 (ret.)

THE MODERATOR: Your thoughts on the match tonight.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, happy to be through this week. I mean, Jack I think played the best set of tennis I've ever seen him play. I did one unforced error in the whole set and I lost it 6-3 without having really any chances.

If he would have kept it up I probably would not have won the match. To be honest, if he hits 17 winners and, what was it, two unforced errors, there's not much you can do.

So, yeah, that was basically summary.

Afterwards when he gets injured, it's a shame because otherwise it would have been an incredible match I think.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Besides him retiring, how do you feel your level of tennis is facing the second week knowing the rivals you have ahead?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, I mean, the first set was the only set I lost so far in the tournament, and he played incredible.

I think the next one is going to be very interesting against Jannik because he is someone that is very hungry, a young guy that is playing extremely well. I think it's going to be interesting to see how that matchup plays out.

I'm looking forward to it now because the matches are where it's going to be difficult and the opponents are really difficult. I think, yeah, the next one is definitely going to be a challenge.

Q. Your time on court over three matches is 4 hours 52 minutes. I know it hasn't mattered to you. Are you at the stage of your career where you start to think about these things, they could be working in your favor?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: It has always mattered. If I'm down two sets to love or two sets to one, I have to stay on the court to win the match.

It's great to spend as little time as possible on the court in the first week because that is where you kind of gain and win in the second week.

So physically I feel fine. I'm happy where I am. But I also do know that the opponents are not going to get easier and the matches are going to get more difficult. Maybe it's having the battles you had in the past and knowing what to expect.

Q. (Question about growth.)

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: At the end of the day we all grow as human beings and tennis players. It's the same way when we're on the tennis court. We know maybe how to deal with situations better, our preparation may be a little bit. The more matches you play, the more Grand Slams you play, you are better at knowing what to expect. I think that's the big key factor.

Q. Stefanos responded to some of the claims about him taking long bathroom breaks yesterday after his match. He said, I might have taken a little bit longer than some athletes, but is there a rule that says I have to take a specific amount of time? Until there is a rule I'm going to try to do my thing and follow protocol. Since you were one of the first people to bring this issue to light in Cincinnati, do you want to comment?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I wasn't the first one. I was the first big name. I don't want to sound arrogant, but one of the big maybe top guys in the world to do it I think. Krajinovic has mentioned it in Hamburg. Other guys have mentioned it before.

It just happens too much. But it's not about how much he goes to the bathroom. I went to the bathroom today. I was back in a minute, 30 seconds. That's how long it normally takes to go to the bathroom, in my opinion. The bathroom break is to go to the bathroom. That's what it says.

I think the rules are made in the '80s. I think there are some adjustments to be made to those rules. Not only with that regards to that, but in a lot of different cases, situations all around.

I've said it before. I don't want to talk bad about him any more because I've been talked bad about for a very long time. I don't like the feeling and I don't want to give it to someone else as well because it's not a nice thing to do.

It's not up to me to decide that. But I do think maybe some rules and some things need to be changed in the ATP in general. Maybe that's one of them.