ROLAND GARROS

May 25, 2022

Alexander Zverev

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/S. Baez

2-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: You played Sebastian in Rome. Did it surprise you today even more?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: No, not really. I think he played a very good match, especially in the beginning. I had absolutely no rhythm today in the beginning on that court. It was extremely windy. The conditions were very different than the other day, so took me a while to get into the match, but I knew I had to keep fighting. I knew I had to just find a way, especially in the second set, I mean, I knew that I was not going to win it, but I knew that I have to find a rhythm in that set.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. We know that mental health is an issue in tennis, and we are wondering if social media is an issue in this issue. How do you deal with all the messages, obviously the bad ones for your career? Do you think it might make them seem different for the youngest player?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I mean, you have to learn not to look at it. But for me, my mental health does not depend on social media. My mental health depends on other problems I have, to be honest.

I never talk about it. I think some players talk about it more often, and more open. I don't like to do that, but I was struggling a lot this year.

So, yeah, not because of social media. I was struggling a lot because of other things, so I was not happy. I think I was quite depressed at times, as well.

So, yeah. It's all a big part. I think the pressure we are under, we are constantly in a spotlight. I think players from 20, 30 years ago don't understand because now every single little thing you do, there is a camera there or someone that can comment on it or there is someone that will write about it. 30 years ago it wasn't like that. These days I think with social media and a lot of other platforms, there is a lot more involvement and there is a lot more hatred going on.

But that's just the world we live in right now. It's sad to see. But that's the reality, because I think social media gives everybody a platform to say whatever they want, good or bad.

Q. Tom Cruise, who is a big tennis fan, is currently starring in "Top Gun: Maverick." I want to know how much Maverick you are, whether tennis needs more big characters and Mavericks to appeal to fans, and what do you need to do to be top gun here at Roland Garros?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I think I'm a character, that's for sure. But I don't think I'm a Maverick. I think there's other guys that are.

But I'm definitely a character. I think all of you guys enjoy writing about quite a lot (smiling).

Q. From Norway, there is a lot of young players now, you are pretty young yourself, aren't you?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Not really.

Q. Which players do you think have the biggest potential of being on top there when the old ones retire soon now? Can you characterize all of the youngsters a little bit?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Well, depends who you consider young, because I don't consider myself young or Medvedev young or I don't consider Tsitsipas young. I consider Alcaraz young. I consider Holger Rune young.

Of those, I mean, the obvious answer is Alcaraz, no? I think he's already shown -- he's No. 6 in the world at the age of 19. We don't really need to talk about the future a lot. He's in the present. He's one of the best players in the world right now.

I'm pretty sure he's not going to get worse. Yeah.

Q. He's losing now.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Is he? I haven't looked at the score. Has he lost or is he winning? 5-All. I doubt that he will lose.